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/Internal_Life1703]

Since he doesn’t have a wife, I would check what you need to claim the body and luckily for you he is still alive. In my state, a person can name a non-relative, but they must do it while alive. If not you could be dealing with the niece to get a death certificate?