Hi guys. I'm seeking some Will advice that may get a bit complicated here but bare with me.

Bit of backstory: My dad lived in America (Indiana) for the past 7 years. He recently died (August 2011) of cancer. I was on fairly good terms with him and was out there with my sister when it happened.

I'm not on great terms with my stepmum (she is American) - I thought i was but i am starting to think the opposite.

My dad was a bank manager for HSBC (a big UK Bank) over here for some 35 years. He was made redundant just before he moved to the states so he would have received a lump sum from them (plus extra money for having two children). He remortgaged the house just before he left too(my mum being oblivious to what he was planning).

Since his death in USA, i have his death certificate. His place of work has given 3 years health care and 1 year salary to my stepmum. She has since (AFAIK) tried to gather his assets/estate and has also been in touch with the HSBC pension scheme over here (i know this because i got in touch with them too). They would not tell me if there was any pension left here, and would only tell me if there was (and how much there was) if they saw i was entitled to it. They told me a decision would be made (late November 2011) and whoever was entitled to anything (if there was anything) would hear from them. Otherwise, no other information would be given.

I did not hear from them.

My stepmum has since pretty much vanished. I have received maybe 2 emails since that decision was made, both of which were simple and out of the blue. All other contact I have made has been ignored (even replies to the emails she has sent me/my sister).

I have not heard about any kind of Will relating to my dad. I have not been told what my stepmum is doing with any of his assets or what she has received from banks/pension-wise etc.

So here is where I am stuck. I have sent off a form today (and fee) to HM courts and tribunal services to search for a will/grant in this country. I don't even know if they will know if he has passed away or not.. so that may very well come back with nothing.

I don't even know if he had a will, and if so, was it over here? Or in Indiana (USA). I have tried googling but found nothing similar to the Will-finding facility we have over here, for Indiana. I am not on terms with my stepmum where i can ask her a question and receive a response, let alone a truthful response.

They have a house out there (and i seem to remember she complained about having such a long mortgage left on it.. despite being in her 60s and my dad being 59 when he passed - would a bank give them a mortgage THAT long at such an age with very decent salaries (stepmum = self employed psychologist. dad = bank manager). Surely that is an asset me/my sister may be entitled to?? But who decides and how is that enforced?!

I am very stuck, and as a minimum wage worker i dont have the funds to sit down with a lawyer and discuss this. Any advice is very much welcome!

Thanks guys.