Should I continue to search for unknown heirs or settle with the state

[fingertip]

My case is a very difficult case. My grandfather owned land when he died without a will. He was married at the time of his death. When his wife (not the mother of his children) died she did not have a will, but my father being the oldest of his siblings took occupancy and maintained the property for nearly forty years. Before my father passed away he named me as his executor or his estate, and after his death four years ago I took over maintaining the property. I attempted to have it probated, the attorney I hired to handle the probate notified the State of Oklahoma about the issue my family and I not knowing any of my grandfather's wife heirs. The state expressed an interest in the property and asked for a settlement offer. I took it upon myself to locate my step grandmother's heirs. On my own I learned that her mother had eight siblings which I am sure are now deceased. After hiring a professional genealogist I learned there might be a distant cousin still living, however, I cannot afford to continue the search. My family members and I do not want to sell the property, nor do we have the money to pay the state to settle. Should we continue to search for heirs on our own, or should we find a way to pay the state to settle with them? Are there any loopholes in the Probate law that would allow my family to claim the stepmother's share of the property so that her share does no escheat to the state? Do you know other methods we can use to find the unknown heirs?

 

[army judge]

My case is a very difficult case. My grandfather owned land when he died without a will. He was married at the time of his death. When his wife (not the mother of his children) died she did not have a will, but my father being the oldest of his siblings took occupancy and maintained the property for nearly forty years. Before my father passed away he named me as his executor or his estate, and after his death four years ago I took over maintaining the property. I attempted to have it probated, the attorney I hired to handle the probate notified the State of Oklahoma about the issue my family and I not knowing any of my grandfather's wife heirs. The state expressed an interest in the property and asked for a settlement offer. I took it upon myself to locate my step grandmother's heirs. On my own I learned that her mother had eight siblings which I am sure are now deceased. After hiring a professional genealogist I learned there might be a distant cousin still living, however, I cannot afford to continue the search. My family members and I do not want to sell the property, nor do we have the money to pay the state to settle. Should we continue to search for heirs on our own, or should we find a way to pay the state to settle with them? Are there any loopholes in the Probate law that would allow my family to claim the stepmother's share of the property so that her share does no escheat to the state? Do you know other methods we can use to find the unknown heirs?

Your problem may have begun when your grandfather died, passing the property to HER.
That happens in many families, and your father may have been considered a trespasser.

Now the good news, if dad held himself out OPENLY, NOTORIOUSLY to be the rightful owner of the land, paid the taxes, kept the property up; it maye passed to him via adverse possession.
If that is the case, you are the lawful owner.
I suggest you invest another $500 to $1,000 to obtain a proper consultation with a good real estate, property, or wills & estates attorney in your county.
He or she will know if my theory is viable, and how to rectify things on your behalf.