My mother passed away in late 2016. I know I might be getting an inheritance. When do you think I will get it? It is a large sum of money. I am afraid that my relatives who are the executors of the estate will try to cut me out of anything. Does it take quite a long time, like 6 months or a year?
If there is going to be a distribution, the atty or maybe the executor should mail you paperwork to be signed off on and returned to atty as the distribution ($) is reported to IRS. Also if there are a lot of folks getting distribution, the paperwork on all usually has to be in, before any $ out. If some of those listed have died, it will delay all this further.
If you really think you are going to be short changed, you will need to hire a probate atty who does litigation & asap. Most probate guys do not do litigation. Its not a DIY imo but needs experienced legal.
I remember my Grandparents estate took 10 years to probate because one of the relatives was suing for her share, and she kept changing attorneys, thus had to start all over again. All that time property and real estate taxes had to be paid, plus the attorney fees.