I agree with Miriam. However, I would need to know if there was a Will or Dad passed without one. A Will controls and children may be disinherited. All children are covered by the intestacy statute, if he died without a Will. Was Dad married and was his wife living? Also, how were his assets registered - individually or jointly with someone? A Will only acts upon assets owned individually. Jointly registered assets usually go to the surviving joint owner. Also, did any assets, like life insurance policies and/or retirement benefits, have a designated beneficiary who survived Dad? These assets go to the designated beneficiary. Nothing can be done before 10 days elapse, so wait a while before contacting the Surrogate's office to see what has been done. The Surrogate can advise you what has been done, who applied for what (Will or Administration) and who the estate's attorney is, if there is one. You should be notifed when something happens, but a call or letter to the Surrogate will be sure. More information is needed, as noted above, for a more complete response to your question. This is a response to an Internet question and the reply is not intended to be legal advice or as creating an attorney-client relationship.

I agree with Miriam. However, I would need to know if there was a Will or Dad passed without one. A Will controls and children may be disinherited. All children are covered by the intestacy statute, if he died without a Will. Was Dad married and was his wife living? Also, how were his assets registered - individually or jointly with someone? A Will only acts upon assets owned individually. Jointly registered assets usually go to the surviving joint owner. Also, did any assets, like life insurance policies and/or retirement benefits, have a designated beneficiary who survived Dad? These assets go to the designated beneficiary. Nothing can be done before 10 days elapse, so wait a while before contacting the Surrogate's office to see what has been done. The Surrogate can advise you what has been done, who applied for what (Will or Administration) and who the estate's attorney is, if there is one. You should be notifed when something happens, but a call or letter to the Surrogate will be sure. More information is needed, as noted above, for a more complete response to your question. This is a response to an Internet question and the reply is not intended to be legal advice or as creating an attorney-client relationship.