Stepdad, Executor, and Estate Lawyer ghosting me over 75K inheritance.
My grandma passed away in May 2025. Before she passed, she told me multiple times that she had left me $75K in her will, to be paid out after the sale of her condo. My stepdad overheard one of these conversations and was extremely angry.
Since her passing, I’ve been trying to obtain a copy of the will, but I’ve been completely shut out.
The executor (my grandma’s best friend) has ignored all of my calls and messages.
The estate lawyer has also been unreachable. I’ve called, left voicemails, and emailed requesting a copy of the will and a status update. At one point, the office scheduled a call and sent a calendar invite, but the lawyer never showed up. I followed up afterward and have been ignored ever since.
My stepdad has been extremely evasive:
• He initially refused to give me the lawyer’s name.
• When I ask about the inheritance, he says, “That will have to wait until I die. That’s just how it’s going to be,” which contradicts what my grandma told me.
• He is currently living in my grandma’s condo and plans to sell it after the estate sale.
I’m concerned that once the condo is sold, the money could disappear and I’ll have no recourse.
Additional context:
My mom passed away a few years ago. The sale of the home went entirely to him. I created her will myself using a generic template I found online, and I did not contest anything.
He burnt through that money spending on motels and women and even got arrested for drunk driving, shared from family members. He then moved in with grandma since he was broke. Her health quickly deteriorated. It’s this history that makes me concerned and I know he will repeat it with nothing to show for it.
My questions:
If I am named in the will, shouldn’t I receive a copy?
If my stepdad was added to the condo as a joint tenant, would that mean the property bypasses the estate entirely?
At this stage, should I hire an estate lawyer to send a formal demand letter or file a court application/objection to prevent the condo from being sold until this is clarified?
Since the executor and estate lawyer are ignoring me, what legal options do I have in Ontario to obtain a copy of the will or confirm its contents?
I’m trying to understand my legal rights and prevent potential wrongdoing before it’s too late. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.