Do you get an inheritance if you never knew your father? Or mother?

Robert Ray

Learn about inheritance rights of children.

Occasionally, the situation will arise were a child is born but never knows one of his parents. This may happen because the mother and father were never married.  It could happen because the mother and father were married but for whatever reason, the father left before the child was born or shortly thereafter. It could also happen where the mother took the child and never told the father where the child was.  The father may never have had any contact with the child.  It may be that the child never knew his mother for one of the reasons listed above.

If the parent dies under these circumstances, is the child entitled to inherit from the parent? The answer is yes!

If the parent did not leave a will then the child who does not know his parent is an heir just like any other child. He would inherit from his parent under the laws of dissent and distribution. This would be true even if the parent had had additional children who were known and supported.

If the parent left a will then it depends on how the will was written. If the parent named specific individuals such as his spouse or other children then the child who never met his parent would not inherit. All of the parent’s property would go to those specifically named.   However, if the parent used terms like “my descendents” or “my children” or “my heirs” then the child would inherit from his parent.  He would be a descendent or a child or an heir. If the will was made before the child was born, then the child may be a pretermitted child and entitled to inherit.

Copyright by Robert Ray a Texas inheritance attorney. The foregoing information is general in nature and does not apply to every fact situation. If you are concerned about inheritance laws, inheritance rights, have a family inheritance dispute, a property dispute or want information about contesting a will and need an inheritance lawyer, we can help. Please go to our main site www.texasinheritance.com and use the contact form to contact us today. We are Texas inheritance lawyers and would love to learn about your case and there is no fee for the initial consultation.

UPDATES

There are new cases all the time that clarify or change the law on inheritance disputes. Keep up-to-date by subscribing to our blog.

'

Subscribe

Recent Posts

Bill of Review

Bill of Review

Bills of Review in Texas When a case doesn't turn out the way you want in the trial court, you appeal to the court of appeals. But what can you do if you didn't know about the case or didn't learn of a trial setting until an appeal was too late? A bill of review...

How do I claim my inheritance Texas

How do I claim my inheritance Texas

Claiming an inheritance in Texas An inheritance can never compensate for the death of a family member. But inheritance is not about greed; it is about custody and control of your property. Claiming an inheritance in Texas is usually straightforward if you are a named...

Slayer Rule and Insurance in Texas

Many states have a "Slayer Rule." The Slayer Rule is a stature or rule that a person who kills a person from whom they inherit forfeits the inheritance. Texas does not have the Slayer Rule. There are ways to get around the fact that Texas doesn't have a Slayer Rule...

Can a murderer inherit his victim’s property?

Texas Slayer Rule Affirmative Action Required The Texas State Constitution has a provision that says ""No conviction shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture of estate." The Texas Estates Code §201.058 (Probate Code §41(d)) is similar. Those two provisions have...

The Author

Robert Ray

Robert Ray handles inheritance disputes of all kinds. He takes cases throughout Texas.
© Copyright 2023 | All Rights Reserved.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This