Recently my grandfather on my mother's side passed away and he left everything to me, his only living relative. My mother passed away 10 years ago. Here's the question, someone is contesting the will saying that I'm not his legal relative because my mother was not his biological daughter. It's my understanding that he adopted her when he married my grandmother... but I have no proof.

How can I get a copy of the adoption papers from the early 1940s? Would they exist somewhere? I believe that this would involve the state of NY if that matters. Probably around 1941 or sometime soon after.

Thanks for your help.

Try for your mom's birth certificate. It may have amended to show your grandfather as the legal father.

But even if that wasn't the case, its not grounds to contest the will. Your grandfather can choose to leave his estate to anyone who chooses with some exceptions. Unless he was under the impression that he was your biological grandparent, then it may just be a moot point.

Who is contesting the will?

This is where it gets messy... he modified his will years ago to include someone (a non family member/friend). Then years later, he omitted this friend after finding out that he was just using him for money. THIS person is now coming forward with that OLD copy of that will saying that he wants to begin probate... and he's saying the current will is not valid because I'm not my grandfather's legal heir.

Isn't it sad how people like this just love to stir up trouble when it comes to money?

The only way I can see him contesting the will is if he can prove you exercised undue influence in changing his will to write him out of it.

You ARE the legal heir because the later will states so. Whether your mom was adopted or not is moot. Is your grandfather's estate large?