Inheritance question... If I have a case, LOTS of money is involved.

Question: Okay, say someone who is long time passed away (about 50 years), who is a well known, very wealthy person has no children. Every biography I have read mentions the "fact" that this person had no children. BUT, in reality, he DID have an adopted daughter. Would the family be entitled to any of the estate? Money? Anything? This adopted daughter was estranged from her father at the time of his death, and never inquired about any inheritance. However, all of the (millions of dollars) is all inherited by a a single family member who is not even a direct line to the deceased person. I hope this is not confusing, but I feel that there is a huge amount of money that needs to be shared to the proper heirs. Is there a time limit on something like this? Do I have a good case here, or wasting my time?