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Original poster

Inheritance problem

19 replies

doughnutsForlunch · 06/10/2021 10:58

Not sure how to deal with this. I don’t want to appear grabby but ….

Lovely DM passed away in august. Miss her terribly it’s been a dreadful time.
She had no property or assets except some savings. She had always said everything was to be shared between her 2 children (myself and dsis who if relevant is a half sister and also dealt with everything to do with the will etc)
It’s been a while now and I’ve heard nothing.

I’m not sure what I’m meant to do ? I don’t want to look grabby but shouldn’t it have been sorted out by now ? I don’t even know who id ask as getting nothing from dsis

OP posts:
GrettaGreen · 06/10/2021 11:01

Would her savings have been more than the funeral costs?

Bagelsandbrie · 06/10/2021 11:02

Who organised her finances after she died - who paid the funeral costs etc? Your sister? I think you need to contact her and ask what’s happened.

Original poster
doughnutsForlunch · 06/10/2021 11:02

I don’t know because everything I’ve asked has been totally ignored and I’ve had no access to any information

OP posts:
Original poster
doughnutsForlunch · 06/10/2021 11:03

@Bagelsandbrie

Who organised her finances after she died - who paid the funeral costs etc? Your sister? I think you need to contact her and ask what’s happened.
Yes she did everything and when I ask I get ignored. Am I allowed to see the will ? If so I don’t know who to ask as don’t even know who her solicitor was
OP posts:
Bagelsandbrie · 06/10/2021 11:03

(It can take a while though - when my mum died she had no will and I was / am her only child so had to sort everything myself and it took about 6 months- there was a property involved though so that may have made it take longer).

WhatDidISayAlan · 06/10/2021 11:04

You need to check if she made a will - probate or letters of administration can take a while if it was only August. She may not have had assets but there may be a pension lump sum if she had paid into one, and you may want personal possessions or photographs for sentimental reasons. I’m sorry for the loss of your lovely mum - take care of yourself.

Bagelsandbrie · 06/10/2021 11:05

This link may be helpful-

beyond.life/help-centre/admin-legal/how-to-get-a-copy-of-a-will/

Original poster
doughnutsForlunch · 06/10/2021 11:05

@WhatDidISayAlan

You need to check if she made a will - probate or letters of administration can take a while if it was only August. She may not have had assets but there may be a pension lump sum if she had paid into one, and you may want personal possessions or photographs for sentimental reasons. I’m sorry for the loss of your lovely mum - take care of yourself.
She had told me she had a will and that her money was to be split equally but as dais works in a bank she wanted her doing everything as felt she was ‘better qualified’
OP posts:
Carandi · 06/10/2021 11:28

If there was still money over after the funeral was paid, and the will stated an equal split between you and your sister, then you should inherit. It can take months to do probate though. Who did your mum have as executors? You could ask the executors for a copy of the will if it hasn't been published yet. It's the executor's legal responsibility to ensure the assets are distributed to the beneficiaries of the will.

LittleOverWhelmed · 06/10/2021 12:01

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Doomscrolling · 06/10/2021 12:12

Took at least 10 months when my mum died, so I wouldn’t be surprised that you’ve not heard anything yet.

I’m so sorry for your loss. Flowers

ApolloandDaphne · 06/10/2021 12:20

My FIL died in August and his financial matters are still being dealt with by his lawyer. His are fairly simple as my DH had taken over looking after his financial interests (POA) and had all the information readily available. It can take a while.

amillionrosepetals · 06/10/2021 12:54

Just for info - as the estate consisted of only savings then Probate may not actually be required:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/dealing-with-the-financial-affairs-of-someone-who-has-died#h-do-you-always-need-probate-or-letters-of-administration
Sorry for your loss.

Retrievemysanity · 06/10/2021 13:01

Sorry for your loss OP. Do you have any idea at all of the sums involved? Lots of banks will release funds without probate if they are below a certain amount. Depending on how far you want to take this, you could tell dsis that unless she gives you the info you need, you will instruct solicitors. Trouble is it’s kind of an empty threat if the estate isn’t worth much as the solicitor’s costs could be a large proportion of the estate.

Annasgirl · 06/10/2021 13:08

Just to add OP, if there was a joint account with your DSIs and your DM names on it, the money goes to your DSIs and it would be up to her to share it with you. Just since you said your DSIs works in a bank.

Herecomesspring1 · 06/10/2021 13:09

@doughnutsForlunch My father in law passed away in August and I have been handling everything. He did not have a will. We have only got as far as having a cremation/return of remains and closing down of his accounts. The house is not in a position to be sold due to a backlog with the land registry and then possibly having to go through probate. We're nowhere near being able to divide his estate and are predicting middle of next year at the earliest.

However, if your sister is just ignoring you, this is concerning. Have you actually spoke to her and asked her direct questions or is this all via text message etc?

LubaLuca · 06/10/2021 13:15

It isn't a quick thing to sort out, so presumably your sister is going through the process and will let you know when you need to do something. She shouldn't be ignoring you though.

Do you know how the funeral costs were met?

Lovelydovey · 06/10/2021 13:23

How much is her estate estimated to be - if substantial there will be additional hurdles in terms of probate and inheritance tax. And is there a house to also sell?

But really 2 months is very little time. I’ve worked flat out and it’s taken me six months to sort my mother’s estate and non payments will be made for another month or so until after the house is sold.

By all means contact your sister and ask how it’s going, but you will stress her out if you imply that it should be sorted by now as that is pretty unrealistic.

Dozycuntlaters · 06/10/2021 15:55

its very early days. My dad died in October last year and we have only just been through probate and now have to wait another six months for an ad to be put in the paper to see if anyone else comes forward to make a claim. And this is only a bank account we are dealing with. By the time it's sorted it will have been 18 months........probate is taking ages and they are blaming covid. Honestly, if your lovely mum only passed away in August, it will be ages until things are sorted. You need to find out who the solicitor is, make yourself known and ask to be copied in on all further correspondence.

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