Well I went to the probate office to see if my Dad made a will but apparently its too soon after his death for probate to be granted. He might have died intestate (without leaving one) I wanted to check so I could see a lawyer and start the ball rolling about me being his daughter. Every step I took today put a smile on my face and warmed my heart. Fuck it was cold and my feet sure got sore but I felt better for my experience. The first consultation told me I might get nothing but I laughed my pants off and told her that's ok because it isn't about that anyway.
I went to births and deaths and got a copy of his death certificate. My stepmama listed her own daughter as being his child! I'm shocked folks because this is a legal document and I'm pretty sure her grandfather is actually her father (incest story - too long to tell!)
I sought out the registrar and he looked up the stepsisters birth certificate which didn't indicate a father at all so he could not confirm either way whether my Dad was the biological father (he can't take my word for it)
So then I wondered whether he HAD adopted her and we just didn't know because that is the only other way she could be on there legally. Of course all my stepmother had to do was inform the funeral director of the details and sign a statutory declaration that the information was true and correct. she feels very strongly about her daughter's relationship with my Dad!
I looked on the adoption website when I got home to find out whether I could establish whether that had in fact occurred - if it did, fine, as long as every thing on the death certificate is true and correct, I don't mind.
I didn't know that adoptees have TWO birth certificates! The registrar has inadvertently told me that she ISN'T adopted when he looked up her details to establish paternity.
That is what I believe at any rate but I will ring the Child Protection Agency for further assistance and the Funeral Directors are going to contact my Stepmother as I insist on another stat dec which states that he is the legal father by way of adoption or declares an error on the certificate and asks that it be amended.