Inheriting assets from a loved one can be a source of comfort as you grieve them. But what happens when that inheritance is stolen? Losing an inheritance to theft can be a devastating experience, leaving you feeling helpless and vulnerable.
Inheritance theft can take on many forms, ranging from simple theft of physical assets to complex financial fraud. Some common types of inheritance theft include stealing property or money, forging a will or other legal documents and coercing or manipulating a testator to change their will or estate plan. Below are some steps you can take to recover your stolen inheritance.
Proving inheritance theft
To recover a stolen inheritance, you need to prove that theft occurred. This can be challenging, as inheritance theft often involves complex financial transactions and legal documentation. Some steps you can take to prove inheritance theft include:
Gathering all available documentation
You need to gather documents such as wills, trust paperwork and financial statements. By reviewing these documents, you can identify any irregularities or suspicious activity that may indicate theft. Reviewing the documents to ensure they are authentic and have not been forged or altered is also important.
Working with financial institutions
You can also work with a financial institution to help trace any suspicious transactions related to the inheritance. This step entails reviewing bank statements, investment account records and other financial documents to identify unauthorized withdrawals or transfers.
Interviewing witnesses
This step may include involving family members, friends and anyone else who may have knowledge of the inheritance and how it was distributed. By interviewing witnesses, you may be able to uncover evidence of coercion, manipulation or other forms of inheritance theft.
Recovering a stolen inheritance can be a challenging process, but it is not impossible. By taking the time to understand the types of inheritance theft and gathering evidence, you can increase your chances of recovering estate assets.