If I found lots ($150K) of gold and silver in the house of a deceased person, should I put that cash into the estate and what would happen if I don’t?
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If I found lots ($150K) of gold and silver in the house of a deceased person, should I put that cash into the estate and what would happen if I don’t?
Asked on May 7, 2013 under Estate Planning, Indiana
Answers:
M.T.G., Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 10 years ago | Contributor
Although more details would be helpful here, you have said enough for me to explain that an attorney can never advise you to knowingly with hold money that is not yours from the rightful owner, even some one that has passed. The circumstances surrounding your finding could have a bearing on the matter along with the law in your state. In Arizona it has been held that money found by new home owners clearly left by the prior owner was not considered abandoned but "mislaid" and belonged to the estate of the prior homeowner. I would speak with a lawyer.
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