The power of forgiveness

[fj1200]

Where all this comes in is when staff members of the place where he lived went looking for next of kin. The only number they had was mine. My grandfather had saved things from my wedding.
Which, by law, makes me the sole heir and executor of his estate. According to what his legal rep said. So yes, I get to go to South Carolina and figure out what to do next.
There is no funeral because his wish was to be cremated.

My dad and my uncle are coming with me. Because though my grandfather never forgave them in life, they have forgiven him in death.

Crazy story. But I don't think you've got that right unless he had a will.

Who Gets What in South Carolina?

Under intestate succession, who gets what depends on whether or not you have living children, parents, or other close relatives when you die. Here’s a quick overview:

If you die with:	here’s what happens:
children but no spouse	children inherit everything

...

Children’s Shares in South Carolina

If you die without a will in South Carolina, your children will receive an “intestate share” of your property. The size of each child’s share depends on how many children you have and whether or not you are married. (See the table above.)
For children to inherit from you under the laws of intestacy, the state of South Carolina must consider them your children, legally. For many families, this is not a confusing issue. But it’s not always clear. Here are some things to keep in mind.
...

• Grandchildren. Your grandchildren will receive a share only if their parent (your child) has died before you do.

[Abbey Marie]

Crazy story. But I don't think you've got that right unless he had a will.

Sounds like most states to me, too.

[gabosaurus]

I misunderstood what the attorney was trying to explain.
My grandfather had a will that listed several beneficiaries. Because he died at the age of 90, all of them are either dead or unable to be located.
The final part of the will states that, if no beneficiaries survive him, all assets would go to me. Why, I have no clue whatsoever. We only met once and that was for a brief time. Perhaps I just impressed him as a wonderful person.
Obviously he never found out that I was a tree-hugging liberal.

It will take a while for them to figure out his assets. I can't imagine there being much left over since he lived in assisted living for quite a few years.
My dad suggested that I take any monetary assets and donate to Hillary Clinton. I am pretty certain that would cause me to be struck by lighting.