beneficiarymy late mother was named as beneficiary to a old friends estate,the letter was send to my mothers''estate'which Im the admin for...

Question

beneficiary

my late mother was named as beneficiary to a old friends estate,the letter was send to my mothers''estate'which Im the admin for my moms estate.do I attend the estate hearing? my moms friend had no family.but someone had put this in probate court ,with my late mother one of 6 beneficiaries,do my sister and I attend the hearing?

Answer

Re: beneficiary

I would attend the probate hearing, and I would get a copy of the will, if you can, for analysis by a probate attorney.

California has anti-lapse statutes and per stirpes representation, so you may stand in your mother's shoes, depending on the language of the will. Your sister could also stand to inherit also.

Very truly yours,