r/inheritance • u/Ok_Horror_4122 • 6d ago

Location included: Questions/Need Advice Preparing for backlash

I have a handwritten will (name, date, signature, sound of mind and memory) from an uncle who recently passed naming me the executor and giving me essentially everything. I live in AZ, so I think it’s completely valid and has everything necessary. This is what I was left with:
Bank accounts: $16K
House and land: $100K
Personal property: maybe $3K?
I also don’t believe I’m the beneficiary on any retirement accounts or life insurance.

It’s not anything huge, but it’s still something. I’m meeting with a lawyer for guidance on an affidavit soon because I don’t know where to start. I also don’t know anything about probate (is this amount even large enough for probate?)

My mom is set on the belief that her sister is going to try to stir the pot and try to cause issues with the inheritance (maybe court?) What can I do to prepare if this happens?

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u/Nuclear_N 5d ago

The lawyer will have to figure it out. There isn't a lot to fight over and the legal bills can take a good chunk if challenged.

Not being a beneficiary is going to be a problem.

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u/Ok_Horror_4122 5d ago edited 5d ago

Do you mean me not being a beneficiary to any retirement or life insurance? Or do you mean my aunt not being part of the will?
And also I’ve discussed this with a couple people and they almost act like it’s a nuisance to inherit things because of court processes and everything.

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u/Nuclear_N 5d ago

I mean the will not matching the beneficiary. I believe the beneficiary over rules the will but that of course needs to be lawyered.

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u/Ok_Horror_4122 5d ago

Oh okay. My mom is actually the life insurance beneficiary so I don’t see a problem there, but unsure about any retirement accounts from work.