My grandfather passed in June of this year. I’ve known for the last 4 years that he was leaving his mineral rights in the will to me. I wish we would have talked about it more while he was living, because now I am having trouble locating his ownership. I have contacted two energy companies and they have been unable to locate his name or ownership, but he is still receiving documents in the mail. My grandfather and I were very close, and I know he would have told me if he sold his interest. His final amendment to his will was in December of 2022 and he was very good about updating the will. It was not until April of this year his health really declined.
I have worked through distributing everything per my grandfather’s will and have saved this for last, but now I feel I am at a dead end. Who do I need to contact to get help with this? I have read a few posts online and through google search found a few attorneys close to me who say they can look at your rights, read through your documents, and help you with managing this. Does anyone have any good advice for me?
I work in the medical field and have absolutely no knowledge of this at all.
I will list the location: Section 34, Township 17 N, Range 6 W, Kingfisher County, OK
I live in Oklahoma City. This is where I would be searching for an attorney.
Welcome to the forum. Condolences on your grandfather’s passing.
You/he should be receiving royalties from BCE MACH. There are six horizontal wells in the section. They are also called Mach Natural Resources. You will need to contact them using the address listed on the checks. You will need his name and his owner number. Ask them what you need to do to get into pay status. They are likely going to need a copy of the death certificate, will, letters testamentary, your driver’s license (and those of any other heir).
Are you the only heir listed in the will? If so, that is easier, but if there are more, then that just means more paperwork. The will should have been filed in the county where your grandfather lived. If not already done, it will also need to be filed in Kingfisher since the minerals are located there. Was your grandfather living in state or out of state? Getting the heirs in pay is the next step.
It is not terribly complicated to manage these minerals yourself. The main reservoir has been drilled and infilled by horizontal wells.
Barnes offers solid advice as usual. If things are becoming too complicated, you may want to contact Richard Winblad (attorney) in Edmond. He is a frequent contributor to this forum. Good luck
I just went through a similar situation as the person you responded to. Is it possible for me to refer the Atty that we used for probate? I am a new member here and thought I should ask a professional before I did. Our section is very close to hers in Logan Co.
Hi James, is there a way I can contact the person needing an Atty? Or them to contact me? I worked with a very nice one and would like to refer her. Thank you, Kim
Try a reply directly to the person. I generally just provide the contact information for the professional and possibly some background information for the reference. I believe you have to go through the website administrator for any semi-private conversations. You can go through the FAQ’s for more information.
I will refer the Atty we used who was very helpful. Her name is Rachel Dewberry in Norman. If you can find an alternate way of contacting me where my info isn’t public on here I would be willing to help you.
Kim Allen-Patzkie