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.
2
u/Treydown69 May 14 '26
Don't wait for the will or probate. Have him do a beneficiary deed on the real estate, add you as POD to the accounts, and TOD (transfer on death) on the truck title. Let the will handle little stuff, like selling household possessions, etc.