It's started

[puddle jumper]

Re: It's started

I think you and your sister need to sit down and see what each other has contributed to your mothers well been over the years. Like you said you paid for the house to help your mother out of a family situation so a good part of the house should be yours but has your sister help your mother out with her bills or a home improvment. In that case she also is entitled to something.
Going out on a limb but the missing coins may have been used by your mom
to buy or pay for something and she may have not told you guys about it. She may have given them to someone else as a parting gift. I would explore that avenue before the blame game starts.

Just my two bits.

 

[Tyme2fish]

Re: It's started

Going out on a limb but the missing coins may have been used by your mom
to buy or pay for something and she may have not told you guys about it. She may have given them to someone else as a parting gift. I would explore that avenue before the blame game starts.

Just my two bits.

No. The coins were discovered after Mother's death. They may still be at the house. My sister just thought I had removed them from the house for safe keeping as the house is now empty.
My wife and I are leaving in a few hours to go to Mom's house and we'll know if the coins are missing or still there. We're talking less than $100.00 in cash value, though there may a numistic (coin collector) higher value.

 

[PW2]

Re: It's started

Of course JB is correct in the sense of getting dueling lawyers--that is a mistake.

It of course depends on how much is involved, how much is of sentimental value and to whom, etc. If there is much at stake, it is far better to get a dispassionate third party involved that all can accept to make decisions. It sometimes is difficult to understand garage sale valuations on family heirlooms, but that is the only way it can be done.

I do know if you go in expecting a fight, you are likely to not be disappointed.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: It's started

And probate is expensive. You probably WON'T get much if you go that route.

Maybe where you are, but here it's cheap. It's the lawyers that are expensive. When my Mom died, my sister and I probated her estate. Filing probate cost $100. The court gave us several certified copies of "Letter Testamentary" which authorized us to conduct final business on her behalf, such as closing accounts, emptying bank accounts, transferring assets, etc. We had to put her demise in the paper for 4 days, and wait 4 month for all creditors to step forward. After that, the estate was divided equitably. Any creditor that attempted to make a claim after that was directed to the probate court. It was well worth the money.