Hello everyone,

I am a co-executor of my father's estate with my sister. He partnered with his brother and farmed for many years. Now they have both passed and I am dealing with his wife and sons. She previously volunteered to keep the farms financial records for many years now. The farm lawyer, who is also in charge of my uncle and my fathers estate advised us all to do away with the partnership. The first lawyer, over the farm, also advised my wife and I to see whare my dad's property lines where located at since he left the house to me. My aunt already knew but she would not tell us.
I don't know what her deal is but she had also been seeing another lawyer the whole time; "on behalf of her boys". Her sons are old enough to take care of themselves and the partnership was between her and us. Now the main farm lawyer advised us, over 2 years ago, to find a different lawyer because a dispute started. He recommended someone else in town. We went to him and he has pretty much given them whatever they want. I have been trying to convince the other executor of my fathers estate that we need to look elsewhere but she does not want too; yes we never got along before either. She has already done something that is going to make it impossible to honor my father's will; when we finally can finish the estate.
Please tell me what I can do.

Yes I realize that this IS advice and I will not hold any of you responsible for bad advice.

Thanks

You need a new attorney, who knows no one involved, and who will represent only you. Go outside of your area if necessary but get someone who will look out for your interests.

Won't this mess with the estate? I only want to ensure that everything is fair from here on out. And what about my sister? Would she have to use our lawyer too or would this free her to get one on her own too?
I know that I am very nieve to the point of people use it to a fault. I just want my father's will to be followed and I want his estate to get settled quickly and fairly.

Thank you for your reply and for your patience,
humbleman

You need to have someone looking out for your interests. If you want to include your sister that's fine but it doesn't sound like she's very cooperative. From what you've said here it sounds like all of the other parties are looking out for themselves and at your expense. So you need to protect yourself. Your attorney will merely make sure that the estate is administered in a way that you are treated properly and they will prevent any action being taken that will be detrimental to you and advantageous to someone else. This new attorney won't represent the estate. They'll just represent you.

Thank you very much!

humbleman

My pleasure. Good luck!