Yes, check the online site first--that's where I found that there was money in Mom's name. So I wrote to the dept, to find out exactly what I needed to do, as the executor, to claim it (and I couldn't tell from the online entry, how much was in the account). In all honesty, when I wrote the letter, I didn't know if it was .12, $12, or a fortune. Turned out to be significant, but not staggering. Now I just have to see how long it takes for the check to get turn up. Oh, and always send documents 'return receipt requested'.

Get several copies of the death certificate ... you will need them. I'm goping to assume the alcoholic brother will cause a stink ... good record keeping will head him off. Keep CAREFUL track of all your expenses (receipts for packing boxes, the rent, etc.) because you are entitled to reasonable payment from the estate for this. Include funeral expenses in this. Beware of fake bills: there is a slimy set of scammers that see an obituary and start sending invoices. Don't pay until you are certain it's legitimate. For the apartment, start by disposing of all immediately visible trash (look through papers for unpaid bills and such) and opened foodstuffs and toiletries. Unopened food and toiletries can be given to a food bank or charity (keep the receipt). Clothing can go to a charity: check ALL pockets and inside shoes and hats for cash and other items. The resale value of most used clothing is too small to bother with (unless he wore Armani). Take digital pictures of each area before you pack ... quickly inventory, pack and remove any high-value items to a safe place. Make a list of the contents of each box as you pack (the inventory) and put it in an envelope taped to the outside of the box. After that, work through each area, checking under drawers and drawer liners for stashed items. Remove drawers and look at the bottom (my gran was fond of taping envelopes of cash there). Look inside dressers when you remove drawers. If there is a solid bottom, things may be hidden there. As you clear areas, sort them into "keep" and "don't keep" or "trash" for broken things. Use a ladder and check the very back of shelves. Look behind and under appliances. At this point, give the other brother a chance to select any furniture (assuming it's not $$$ antiques) he wants, take what you want, then either have an estate sale or send the rest to charity. Keep track of the approximate value of any stuff (look in local consignment shops for similar things) so you can deduct it from the appropriate share. Then you can either have an estate sale or call a second-hand store (or two) to make a bid on the remaining contents. You might have to file your dad's taxes ... keep records. Look for life insurance policies After the taxes, the estate sale, etc. it's time to settle up. Repay yourself for your legtimate expenses, deduct any money or the valuue of any items

Still working on this issue. I have hired a financial advisor to guide me through protecting our joint assets as well am my own. I don't believe he will be moved on this issue so I am simply going to protect what I can and have opted to keep my earnings separate. Recently, he brought up splitting the cost of a repair to one of our properties which is not in my name. I declined and let him know I could not contribute to something that was not protected. I think it got him thinking that his plan is flawed. It's made things more complicated financially but I feel better. Admittedly, he has anxiety and abandonment issues

No, rae, I think that's an example of how a gold-digger with serious intent to take advantage of a vulnerable oldster can be enabled to be successful when an attorney is inept. The lawyer's job wasn't done until whatever transfers or title changes necessary had been made. Suing to reverse such actions that take advantage of an oldster when not of sound mind, when earlier executed but not completed documents are available, are often successful (though often ugly too). A common provision in these documents, at least in my state, is a list of all assets and a statement to the effect of "This list of assets that I/we own as of this date are hereby transferred to the trust and shall be regarded as owned by the trust and not us NO MATTER WHAT TITLE OR NAMES ARE USED FOR THESE ASSETS (I added the caps). It is further my/our intent that any future assets I/we acquire, no matter how titled nor in whose names they appear, shall be deemed contributed to this trust immediately and without exception, unless an amendment to this agreement for a particular asset states otherwise. " Either way, the individual's wishes are insured and are not changeable unless the older document is revoked in writing and a new one entered into