Because they were married, she will automatically inherit most of his assets. She does not inherit his debt, but she will have to pay it off. I don’t think probate would be involved unless he had an enormous amount of money in his name only. I don’t know what business you guys own, but you’re gonna want to talk to a lawyer about how that gets distributed. No idea what contracts you guys may have had. You could inherit the business, you may end up with a new partner in his wife, or you may have to pay her off. As far as the watches, she’s unlikely to ever find out. If I were you, I would not do anything till I answered the business side of the questions first. After that you’ll have to do whatever your conscious tells you. if you think your friend did not want her to have them, stick with that. If you think she’s gonna need the money, acknowledge it, there’s always the middle ground that you give some back and she keeps some too. Keep in mind when there’s death and money involved. Things can get nasty pretty quick.
Because they were married, she will automatically inherit most of his assets. She does not inherit his debt, but she will have to pay it off. I don’t think probate would be involved unless he had an enormous amount of money in his name only. I don’t know what business you guys own, but you’re gonna want to talk to a lawyer about how that gets distributed. No idea what contracts you guys may have had. You could inherit the business, you may end up with a new partner in his wife, or you may have to pay her off. As far as the watches, she’s unlikely to ever find out. If I were you, I would not do anything till I answered the business side of the questions first. After that you’ll have to do whatever your conscious tells you. if you think your friend did not want her to have them, stick with that. If you think she’s gonna need the money, acknowledge it, there’s always the middle ground that you give some back and she keeps some too. Keep in mind when there’s death and money involved. Things can get nasty pretty quick.