Regarding time to claim monetary gifts left from an estate?

My roomate ped away on July 19th 2008. The executor of his estate was a prick! He never returned my calls, etc,etc. My roomate may have left me a little something. According to the prick, who told my girlfriend that he left me a few $$. If he did. How much time do I have to claim this gift? I believe I can go to the county clerks office and request a copy of his Wil or the power of attorney he asigned to the prick before he ped. Is this correct? Thank you.