I have a legal question for all my good friends?

in 2002 my Dad died,he was diagnosed with asbestosis.He had attorneys who have won settlements.There are 4 of us children,andhis second wife to divide any funds.The way it is going to be divided is she get 60% us children 10% each.This don't seem fair,but I could live with that. The problem is-she is probably / or might not live to see anything,because I talked with one of our attorneys recently and was advised that it usually takes years to finalize. ?? if stepmother didn't make it, would HER children get her share? wow I can't stand to see someone who didn't even know Dad be getting money off our Fathers death. one other thing is myself and my Brothers and Sis have reason to think Dad and Her were not even leagally married. I have checked all area courthouses and there is not them on file at any of the county clerks offices.I know for a fact that she continued to draw off her deceased hgusband for a long time when they first started living together..I need opinions from anyone else,

I would say look for a good attorney to look into if they were legally married or not. But if he had a legit Will, and that's what it sais, than that's what it is. I know from experience with my family that it doesn't take years, unless your dad had alot of assets such as properties, investments, cash... then it might take some time, but not years. And if she has a Will and it states in there how her money is divided, then that's the way it is as well, sucks, but that's the way it is. Just make sure if you ever create a Will, word it right and make sure you have it all worked out the way you really want it to be.

check with social security they may be willing to reserch this for u they love fraud cases and you and they might just like the outcome also i would check into common law mariage to see if recognised by your state

ur in a mess, sorry honey i wouldnt know where to start

Just because there is not marriage license filed in YOUR county doesn't mean they weren't legally married, Marriage papers are usually filed in the state/county where the marriage took place. They could have gotten married ANYWHERE on this planet. And OF COURSE she continued to draw from her first husbands funds becuase she was not MARRIED when she was first living with your father, what does THAT have to do with your father settlement? You SAY that you're okay with your percentage but from ALL of your post you're not sounding like you are. Since I don't know how her will is set up I can't tell you if her kids will benefit from the settlement or not...that you would have to discuss with her, when you can stop grasping at straws to get it all that is.