I have a problem regarding probate so I am turning to the THF Legal Counsel for free advice.

Auntie passed away a little over 4 years ago. Supposedly there was a will. The executor is unknown...if the executor was kin rather than a law firm then the executor is likely one of 2 people and possibly each thought the other was taking care of business. Apparently no one was. One called me after being approached by an agency that hunts for unclaimed property. The other person it could be. has been hard to reach- no return calls yet. (age may be an issue)

How would you handle this? Determine if the property is occupied (alleged to be empty since death) and gain entrance- how? Discovery any bank accounts-how?

The city (Dallas) shows the property belonging "to the estate of" auntie and apparently no taxes paid since her demise. (hence the bounty hunter).

The Texas unclaimed property list only shows an insurance refund. We don't want to step on anyones toes so discretion is important. We mainly just want the mess tidied up with minimal fuss.

I would appreciate your insights.

I would start by doing an online search of the Dallas County Probate court records to see if anything has been started in your aunts name. They may have started the process and then got hung up when COVID shut down the courts. I know there was a huge backlog. If they have no record of probating her will, then I'd reach out to family and see if there actually is a will, and ask then to get in touch with a probate attorney to start cleaning things up. Just my .02 cents.

Probate lawyer will cost you about $5,000+ to do ALL the work. Well worth it if hundreds of thousand dollars are at stake.

If you think you are a beneficiary, you seriously need to do a consult with an appropriate lawyer in the county where your auntie lived and have them do some basic research for you to find our what your realistic options are and if it is worth it.

problem solved.... the executor of the will has been found ... Auntie was the victim of a scammer who befriended her and used the opportunity to steal whatever documents she could find that allowed her to drain the bank account. When the theft was discovered Auntie made a new will but missing paperwork has delayed getting the property tax updated (taxes were paid by executor but the city added on taxes due to exemptions expiring when Auntie passed).

thanks