Crooked uncle. Should I put this money aside in case its wrong

[Youhoo867711]

My DGM died a few weeks ago. She had a bond in place to be split between her 7 grandchildren.
6 of these had a close relationship with DGM but the 7th was estranged because of family upset. No idea where they live and we only met this child when they were a baby. Only know the first name. Their mum was an affair partner of this crooked uncle. He stayed with my aunt. I don't know if uncle ever had contact with the baby.
My DM passed away when I was a teenager. She had me and my 2 brothers.
Uncle also has 3 children. He is the executor of the estate.
He has told the 6 of us that he can't find the 7th so that share has been divided to rest of the grandchildren.
It's £25k extra per child.
I'm worried about the consequences. Spoken to my brothers and we will keep this extra in another account. But the 3 cousins want to spend it.
Uncle is saying it's legal.
Who will get in trouble if it's against the law.

Having been an executor (twice) I would say take the cash and spend it.

As far as I can see any comeback if GC No 7 turns up would be on the executor personally and he would have to find the extra cash. I doubt if you would have to repay it.

The solicitors I dealt with were very hot on drumming in the levels of an executor's personal responsibility.

There were extensive difficulties with my grandparents will, and the money wasn't released to beneficiaries until they were resolved - not even the portion that could be guaranteed.

Very shabby behaviour on behalf of the cousins if they aren't satisfied with the 150k first and maybe only getting a bonus 25k later.

See if you (your uncle / the estate) can take out an insurance policy against your cousin eventually coming forward. I see someone's already said that they were able to do this.

I imagine the insurance company will detail the steps that they would expect your uncle to have taken to reduce their exposure to the risk of paying out, and as long as he's followed these then you can all use the money without worrying.

This. Do an online DNA test to see if any matches appear. If you know the year of his birth you could try to find the names of children born with same Christian name in town. There would probably be a few but you could ring them and ask if mother was called X. Process of elimination.

That's pretty shifty of your uncle. My uncle tried to write my mums quarter out of DGF's will because my mum died before her dad, just so he got more! Thankfully the other uncles told him no chance as DGF's request was her share went to her children (me and my sibling).
The executor should try to find this person if they were in your DGM will

How old will this child be by now, over 18? I am wondering if the uncle doesn't want contact with them and the mother as, once they have his contact details, he might get a large bill for missing child maintenance payments over the years!

Do you have the name of the solicitor connected to this? If so I would bypass the uncle, contact the solicitor and tell him what you have just told us.

Reason being, a close relative to me died last year. One of the beneficiaries of their will named, was untraceable via the official channels (He didn't want to be in contact with family), but I , as a distant relative to him knew his last address.

I then did exactly what I've said in paragraph one, gave the address to the solicitor dealing with the estate and he asked me that, if they couldn't contact him via this last known address, would I be willing to hold the funds for him. It would all be set up legally, and It would be official that I, or any other beneficiaries wouldn't have a claim to it.

So would this be something you could look into op, as like me, it would safeguard you from any wrongful accusations.

And, FWIW, the missing relative was found and received his inheritance.