Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t represent yourself. Please speak with a good estate lawyer.

OP here. I am actually married to a really good wills & trust lawyer

Nice job! I'm sure she's given you more information than anyone here can offer.

+1. There is some truly awful and incorrect information on here re: contesting the will.

So sorry for your loss and happy that you and your father were able to make amends before he died. Also happy you have a spouse that can support you legally and emotionally through this. Good luck - your father wanted you to have the money. You should not give it up.

I LOVE the idea of buying art to remember your reconciliation with your father. Definitely, definitely, definitely take the money. It's what your dad wanted and his wishes matter and your a^%*&^ siblings' wishes do not.

Your father wanted to include you and that's all that matters. You made peace with your father but not your siblings, therefore the only person you need to honor is your father and his wishes.

Anonymous wrote:I'm glad you found some peace with your father. I'm sorry this has all been so difficult for you.

Take the money. Let them do as they will. Not your problem.

Take the money. Art is a good idea. Or a donation to a charity that means a lot to you. Or just save for the future--a gift of stability and peace of mind, in the end, from your father. At last.

+100
So beautifully written.

Your father left his estate just as he wanted. If there is money there for you, take it in good conscience that that is exactly how he meant it. Let them contest if they want but know it is out of jealousy. They want you shunned and they are not happy that your father chose not to do that in the end. Take the high road knowing you found peace in the end and use the money for something that would reflect that. (I love the idea of art or something else that would be a remembrance!)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t represent yourself. Please speak with a good estate lawyer.

OP here. I am actually married to a really good wills & trust lawyer

Nice job! I'm sure she's given you more information than anyone here can offer.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don’t represent yourself. Please speak with a good estate lawyer.

OP here. I am actually married to a really good wills & trust lawyer

Excellent! That way, if they contest it, you can have your spouse's fees paid for by the estate! You have a double win!

In case it wasn't clear, I'm in the 'keep the money' side. Your siblings need to let it go. Congratulations on building the life you want. Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Don’t represent yourself. Please speak with a good estate lawyer.

OP here. I am actually married to a really good wills & trust lawyer

Don’t represent yourself. Please speak with a good estate lawyer.

I'm glad you found some peace with your father. I'm sorry this has all been so difficult for you.

Take the money. Let them do as they will. Not your problem.

Take the money. Art is a good idea. Or a donation to a charity that means a lot to you. Or just save for the future--a gift of stability and peace of mind, in the end, from your father. At last.