Ashley Paulsen called this afternoon requesting an initial interview with you regarding a family dispute over a will and her desire to obtain permanent custody of her deceased brother’s children. About two months ago her brother and her brother’s wife were killed in a car accident leaving two small children, ages 5 and 7. There is a dispute between the brother’s family and the wife’s family as to how the estate should be divided and as to who should take custody of the children.

She wants the estate be divided according to her brother’s will and not according to that of her deceased sister-in-law. Ashley and her husband would also like permanent custody of the children, but her brother’s in-laws are seeking custody as well. Ashley needs to know how to proceed in these matters.