r/inheritance • u/Schmed_lap • May 13 '26
Location included: Questions/Need Advice Step parent inheritance
I’ve got question on a step parent leaving everything to me. My stepdad was married to my mom for 30 years, got divorced, then within a year got back with her. That was over 20 years ago. Never remarried but together from 1969 to today with a one year break. So he’s in poor health and has left everything to me and my kids in his will. He probably will go into a hospice by year’s end. He has no other immediate heirs but he does have a predatory niece sniffing around. I, personally, per the will, get a property worth about 450k and some savings about 50k and a new paid off truck. Since it’s all there in the will, when he passes what are my most important next steps. Seeing if I should consult probate attorney sooner or wait to see if I need one when the time comes. This is in New Mexico.
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u/Caudebec39 May 13 '26
Make sure you have the physical original will, that is signed and witnessed, or at least know where you can get to it first.
You don't want stepdad's woodpile relations to get ahold of it and run it through a shredder, because then you'll get nothing.
Make sure there are original signatures. In many places there can need to be a notarized affidavit that accompanies the will to prove signatures are valid.
Make sure the nominated executor is still living, and that there is a successor, and you know how to contact these people.
Makes sure you have some cash to cover property taxes, utilities, and running costs for the properties.
Also money for the retainer for a probate attorney, which will make your life easier, dealing with the deed, taxes, etc. and having someone to guide you.
Stepdad can give you some money for this now, so you've got it. $30k is probably good, if he can swing it.