My Father is an American citizen and has been missing at sea since July 2012.
I am under the impression that after 5 years they will only be able to declare him dead, and only then will we be able to handle his testament/will or estate. (If there is anything, I don't even know.)
My sister and I are South Africans, and we have a step-mother in the US whom we do not have any contact with. I am the eldest, and took it upon myself to figure out what our next move is. I think my step-mother has been applying for my Dad’s death certificate every year for the past few years, which leads me to believe she would do the same next year. When he is declared dead, what happens to his “things” then? We once had a discussion where my Dad mentioned to my Gran that he hasn’t left anything for his wife, and that it all goes to his two daughters. How true that is at the moment, I don’t know. And whether he even has a will or not, I don’t know. I don’t have any means of finding any documents on this matter.
Please don't tell me to contact a lawyer, they not of much help to me for some reason. Also, I have already checked County Court websites and didn't find anything of value. I also cannot find names of his lawyers, or the name of his bank and I can neither find a name of someone who would know if or where he has a will.
It's disgusting to talk like the only thing that my father's life has come down to is his money, but the reality is that if he had a plan for his money or property I would like to ensure that plan is executed. It's the least I can do, after not being able to help search for him 4 years ago.
Please fill me in on how things work over there?
Ang