Drama after a death: No will

My great aunt died the Sunday before last. She left a 5,000 life insurance policy to someone and told them she wanted that someone, "Shawna", to make sure she got cremated and the urn placed at a special spot. Well, Shawna, started making arrangements for the cremation and everything, but as soon as someone did not want to give her some jewelry of my aunt's, she up and left the state and went back home.

She also disconnected her cell phone. Now, no one can reach her.

My aunt had no will from what we can tell (we have searched and contacted her lawyer). What the heck do we do? No one on the family really has any money to do this right now. My husband just lost his job and we are struggling.

It is a crying shame so much drama has to take place after her death.

Your aunt died intestate, which means, she died without a Will in place. How this person was able to begin burial services without the consent of next of kin is a mystery.

What needs to take place is for one of your aunt's family members, (a brother, sister, daughter, son, etc.) to go to your district's Probate Court and file for an appointment as Personal Representative.

Are you aunt's ashes still at the funeral home?

Yes, the ashes will not be released until the money is in place.

Everyone in the family knew of my aunt's wishes, so there was no problems whatsoever with cremating her and putting her where she wanted to go.

If everyone in the family knew, and were ok with this non relative taking charge of all of the funeral arrangements, then you all have nobody to blame but yourselves. Usually, family trumps friends wants and since your aunt died intestate, she really had no control over who did what.

You can always sue this woman for not holding up a verbal contract and making off with the money that she was not legally entitled to. Without a Will, nothing that has been done so far has been legal.

Consult an attorney who offers free consultations.