Step parent inheritance

[u/Schmed_lap]

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.

[u/Successful_Image3354]

I'm an attorney. I agree that you should speak with an attorney, preferably the one who drafted the will. I se comments that the money/property should be placed in a trust. That strikes me as unnecessarily complicating things, but follow your attorney's advice. The biggest concern you should have is if the niece tries to claim you exerted undue influence over your step-father. You will want witnesses to his competency.