To Eric, I was upset on behalf of Slighted Stepchild and his sibling after reading the letter from him, whose two stepparents excluded him from their wills following the death of his parents. They might not have been disinherited by their birth parents, though, in my opinion.
Before I retired, I spent nearly 30 years working in the estate and trust industry, where I witnessed some incredible attempts by the departed’s relatives. The siblings ought to study their parents’ recorded wills or have their own lawyer examine them if they haven’t already. Only the will that was filed at the local courthouse where each of their parents resided needs to be reviewed. It would be better if they could pay an attorney to figure out how much it would cost to do this for them.
Although it would be unfortunate, it is possible that their parents’ second marriages have concealed information from them or that they are entitled to a share of their parents’ estates under the estate laws of the states in which they currently reside.
I am aware of the profound grief they feel from being left out of their parents’ love and life as kids and adults, but they are unaware of the pressure that led their parents to act in this way.
Untrustworthy Reader
To the Reader: I appreciate this viewpoint. I’m hoping the letter writer may find some more specific responses.
Stories by
R. Eric Thomas
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Asking Eric: After the love of my life died, I found out he was in several other relationships besides ours
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Asking Eric: Widow tires of almost daily texts from dead husband s sister
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Asking Eric: I m fine hanging out with my girlfriend s pals, but large parties make me uncomfortable
For inquiries, contact R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or by mail at P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Subscribe to his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com and follow him on Instagram.
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