Sopchoppy, FL Estate Planning Law Firms & Lawyers

Based on your question, it sounds as if there is a probate proceeding pending. If this is the case, you can file a petition with the court asking that the judge order your sister to provide a complete accounting and, if she refuses to cooperate, to remove her as the personal representative of the estate. This is assuming, of course, that you are indeed a beneficiary of the estate (i.e., you were specifically named in the will or you are an heir-at-law if there was no will). You may wish to speak with a Wisconsin attorney regarding your legal options within this estate.

Once your mother passed away, anything that she owned jointly with her husband became his property for him to do with as he wished. Hopefully, your mother had a will. If she left you her jewelry, it is yours and not her husband's. You can find out if either one of them left a will by calling the probate clerk's office in their county of residence. You can also file what's called a 'caveat,' which means if a probate is opened, you will automatically be notified. Meanwhile, I would call the stepsisters and mention that your mother's possessions are sentimental and ask to look through her stuff.

If we are talking about homestead property (principal residence) and no spouse, then upon death the house goes to the children. Living there carries no greater rights (if both children are adults). If one is living there and that is not acceptable to the other, I would suggest one buy out the other. If he/she refuses, the other child can force a partition sale (similar to a foreclosure sale) where the property is sold judicially and the proceeds divided.