gnu, I only meant that Gene is now retired and long in the tooth.

As for dad I only spoke to him twice in my adult life and even then I had to contact him.

As for relatives in common, I was the first born from a prior marriage and they want nothing to do with me or anyone that they might percieve as a threat to the estate.

This situation may not be common as a result of all divorces but maybe it is.

I suspect my 5 half siblings feel they have only something to lose if they were ever to contact me. Maybe after the will can not be contested by a statue of limitations they might one day talk to me.

Who knows, maybe it would take Gene to unite a family that might be less aware than I have speculated.