Dear Cousin, My step father died in 2001. There was a mesothelioma claim going on and those idiots who went after the companies that did the deed are blocking the will from being probated. So, for 9 long years, I have had to take care of all the money, be accountable for it, make sure it was properly invested, and can't touch a penny of it. The attorney does nothing and never contacts me. Once I year I call and they say that their hands are tied because of the big law firm handling the mesothelioma settlements. This is going to be hung up for years and years because those companies have gone into and out of bankruptcy. If I opt for new attorney, I'll have to pay the first one, then the retainer for the new one. Either way, it's a whole lot of heart ache and so I understand some of what you're saying. I worked for a bank for years and I can't tell you how my heart ached for the widows who would come in with their husband's stocks and bonds and not have the proper papers and would leave in tears. Our bank did everything they could to help out and I just don't understand the cold hearted folks you are dealing with. Do you want all of us Lovelace's to make picket signs and go down to their corporate offices and picket with you? We could even create mean looks upon our faces and snarl a little. Just let us know. Phyllis (of the Northern Mountains)