Sister refuses estate money from deceased parent

[Shezzley]

My mother passed away in Dec of last year. She had some money but very little. Everything has been settled but my older sister refuses to collect her portion of the estate. I have offered mailing, certified letter, all attempts have been refused. I am the executrix of the estate. My question is what do I do? Is there a statue of limitations? I was told by another sibling that she is never going to collect her share in case she decides to sue me. I have done everything my mother told me to do and have all the proof. Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Michael Wechsler]

Is the estate in probate? From my understanding, if you have exhausted all reasonable efforts to contact your older sister and she has refused to comply (such as a certified letter or an overnight urgent mail package), it is possible that the property can be considered to be "unclaimed." If so, it will pass to the next person or group of persons in line of intestate succession who will share the inheritance as if your sister (the original beneficiary) had died. I'm not quite sure if this determination can be made without a written waiver by your sister and, in this instance, might require action by the court.

Why would your sister not collect her inheritance as opposed to taking it and suing you? If there is a written will and you've carried out instructions to the letter, than your sister is wasting her time and most probably "blowing smoke."