Siblings Are Stealing Everything and Not Divideing Anything

You are in a very difficult situation...especially being estranged from your family...you have to stop and ask yourself if it is worth it to have a legal battle in court over "things". I just don't know what you are going to be able to accomplish since it sounds like it is going to be a "he said she said" type situation with no real proof of what was part of the estate.
As difficult at it may be, I would have to just sever my ties with the rest of the family and move on with my life, if I were you.

Louisiana law is weird - I am from there.

When my mother died, intestate, her "share" of the community property was divided between my father, my sister and I according to Louisiana law. When my father died, also intestate (seems my parents had a thing about wills) his property was divided between my sister, me, and my stepmother. Added to that, when the house was sold, was my sister's and my original inheritance from my mother's share.

Confused yet? LOL You should hear my grandmother's story when my grandfather died! Yowza - he had heirs from a prior marriage that we couldn't even find.

Anyhoo, You need to hire an attorney to represent you - one that knows Louisiana inheritance laws. Unfortunately, it is not illegal for one set of heirs to clean out and remove personal property. Tacky, and petty, yes, but not illegal. However, if you retain an attorney then you can require an inventory of the personal and real property.

I wish you luck. I don't understand how the death of a loved one can bring out the worst in some people - but it seems that is the case for your sisters.

I am sorry for your loss.

Death really brings out the worst in people.
Unless the wills speciifcally stated what was included in the estate(s) and the monetary value and who was to get what, this could be a rocky hill to climb.
For instance, my will could say that all my belongs are to be divided equally among my children.
If what I have isn't catalogued or spelled out more specifically, there really is no way of proving what my belongings were.
You could speak to another estate attorney.
It's hard to know if there is an executor, if things have to go through probate.
You need to ask someone who knows the laws in your state and can advise you further.

Best wishes.

Is there any item in particular that you would like to have to remind you of your mom? Perhaps you can ask them specifically that you loved and miss mom and would like xyz to remember her by? For an equal share of the estate I would double check with an impartial estate lawyer in her state. May cost you a few hundred dollars to get an answer though, since those folks charge several hundred per hour. Unless there is a large amount of money at stake it may not be worth your while. Since they were closer physically and it sounds emotionally, they could have been taking stuff for themselves for the last several months (with or without your mom's OK), so the "estate" may be down to hardly anything. I told my mom to make sure she uses everything up and we can each just take some memento. I am sorry your mom has passed away. Hopefully in time some of the good memories of your family will remain.

It's time to hire your own lawyer. Unless motions are filed (or the will specifies certain percentages or items to individuals), heirs are allowed to split everything in whatever manner they choose (and are then responsible for paying whatever taxes go with "their" inheritance). It in no way is legally required to be equal UNLESS you get an attorney involved, they don't "have" to give you an old sock. Much less 25% of the monetary value or volume.

I am so sorry for your loss... I hope you can find some peace and strength to deal with all this.

Take them to civil court... and maybe look into a mediator.

If these objects are more important than repairing your relationships with your siblings, then get yourself a new lawyer. And perhaps, just perhaps, if you get your relationships back with your family you'll find something more valuable than those objects. But you'll also put yourself on more even footing to get them to agree to give you some of the memorabilia. Attracting more flies with honey than vinegar, and all that.

it's just stuff.

it's unfortunate that your mother didn't have these things settled before she passed. i am truly sorry for your loss. and the way it's happened has made everything worse for you.

maybe get another lawyer if it is worth it to you.

to me, it's just stuff. will your life be better or worse, if you put yourself through all this drama? what about for your kids, husband? is it really worth it?

i gather from the responses that it's "normal" to put oneself through this...to me i just don't see the need. you are already grieving. why add to the difficulties? let it go. just my advice.

wow..........seek advise from another lawyer

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