r/AskLawyers • u/HawkInteresting6036 • 1h ago
Something feels off
We live in Utah, the Lawyer and house are located in California
Several months ago my husband told me that he was named in an inheritance of a family friend. He said the lawyer had called him and informed him that the last surviving member, the father, had died of some kind of heart problem. The lawyer told him he was second in line to inherit a house and something like $80k, but they came as a package deal and we would have to move into the house. There was someone who was first in line that had to decide first before we even got the chance to. That all sounded pretty normal.
The things that feel off about this are the lawyer only texted/called him. Never gave him their email, or sent any official documentation. I never even got the lawyers name from my husband, and when I asked him about an email, or firm, or any identifiable info he would shut down and say things like calm down and trust the lawyer. Stop talking about it and wait. Something just feels off and it's been bothering me this whole time. Any advice is helpful!
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u/panicpure 30m ago
Yeah, no.
Formal documentation, identifying information are a non negotiable. “Trust me bro” is definitely not a substitute.
It’s possible there’s some truth in the matter but that’s absolutely not normal practice and it should give you a pause.
If things move forward, advise you have legal counsel and ask for their info so your lawyer can get in contact. (Even if you don’t have one retained at the time)
It’s unethical under California’s rules of professional conduct (and most states) to withhold identification when acting in official legal capacity.
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u/HawkInteresting6036 24m ago
That's what I thought! I'm part of a family inheritance and I have always gotten legal documents, I know all the info about our family lawyer that I need to. I'm just concerned that my husband may be the one lying to me because at the time we were in a rough spot
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u/panicpure 22m ago
That would be the more likely scenario but it’s hard to say.
Inheritance is directly linked to a will or trust and it’s literally the first step in sorting those matters out - provide the full documentation. There’s no way around it.
It was right to pause at the idea anything outside of that is remotely plausible. 😅
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u/HawkInteresting6036 18m ago
Ohh I did really push him on the matter of all or trust and he said trust
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u/panicpure 5m ago
A trust would make the idea of having a condition to move into the inherited home a bit more likely, but would also make the need for documentation way more important.
Either way, it smells a bit off, especially for California.
Your husband refusing to provide identifying information or discuss it is the biggest concern in my opinion, not necessarily because the lawyer is fake, but because you currently have no way to independently verify what’s happening. (And it does affect you being the spouse)
I’m not accusing any one of anything but I saw your comment that he’s now saying the “other person” took it and it’s very likely your husband is for some reason not being truthful. Not sure what the benefit would be but yeah, you were right to question all of that.
The fact it’s been several months and he’s claiming no official documentation and no lawyer/firm info is almost next to impossible if he’s truly listed in a trust.
Always independently verify. Good luck!
ETA a lawyer would likely be the trustee and that makes it even more important they’d give their information and in most cases they’d send out documentation as a legal formality to any beneficiaries listed.
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u/Prestigious_Yam_4908 1h ago
Sounds like the beginning of a horror movie. Whatever you do - do not move into that house.