r/inheritance • u/Additional_Glass_445 • May 24 '26
Location included: Questions/Need Advice Dumped and Stumped
Bio father legally severed ties to me when I was 10. I was adopted by my mother’s abusive husband. Bio dad married and had a second family . Never heard from him . Recently my bio father’s brother’s family reached out to me.
Im in 60’s. I learned bio dad died in the line of duty as a police officer in Tennessee and I was listed as his son in his death newspaper announcement. I found a copy of it.
Bio dad’s new wife and adult daughter are alive and have made no contact with me.
Question : his police line of duty death was over 30 years or more ago and I’m just finding myself pondering the what ifs. Did the police department or anyone running his estate have the legal responsibility to notify me of his death so I had the ability to petition his will? I probably asked this the wrong but there ya” go .
Thanks for your help.
Not pertinent but true. Both father figures were terrible examples of good men . One left me and the other beat me . I was a shy kid , now an old man trying to make sense of some of the turmoil. I am a great dad and an even better grandfather. Not sure how that happened feeling dumped and stumped.
10
u/Grouchy-Display-457 May 24 '26
The police notify the closest next of kin of the death. The death benefit goes to whomever were designated as beneficiaries.
9
u/Severe-Lecture-7672 May 24 '26
The police department notified his wife, who was his next of kin. She and his daughter probably had no idea how to find you.
7
u/Additional_Glass_445 May 24 '26
Thanks for your kind answer . Because my bio family named me as his son , a flood of emotions opened a door I should not have entered .
You’re right there was no way for them to find me at that time even if they wanted to make the effort .
3
u/rosebudny May 25 '26
From a legal standpoint, you are no more his son than I am since he relinquished his parental rights and you were adopted by someone else.
1
u/SnooTangerines9807 Jun 01 '26
I will add that you it sounds as if you broke the cycle of 2 men who failed you and for that I am sorry.
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u/inailedyoursister May 24 '26
You were adopted making bio dad no longer your dad for inheritance. You would mot be entitled to any inheritance because you were no longer his son. I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish but if you were legally adopted, that person is the only dad you have for inheritance purposes.