Adopted grandchildren inheritance

[QueryA]

My MIL died last year and in her will she has left 1/4 of her estate to BIL’s children (her biological grandchildren) however they were taken into care 20 years ago, and then adopted. There was yearly letterbox contact between MIL and one of the children ( the other didn’t want contact) until they reached 18, which was about 5 years ago. A solicitor is dealing with finding them and everything but I’m just curious if anyone else has been in this situation? I worry that is might be really confusing for them to suddenly/unexpectedly inherit a large sum. Particularly as BIL isn’t getting inheritance, although he doesn’t k ow this yet. And he’s not really a very nice person so might just open a whole can of worms

Why would it be confusing for them to be give an inheritance? Learning of the death of thier birth grandmother might be hard news/bring up complex feeling but I can't see why you think the inheritance would be an issue? If they didn't want it they could just turn it down.

I also don't understand the last statements you make about BIL. What relevance does his lack of inheritance or his personality have on how they would respond? Sorry, just trying to understand what you are worried about.

I don't see any can being opened. The parents have decided to skip a generation and give directly to their grandchildren (although as they've been adopted they aren't legally the grandparents, but that's a different thing).

My fil did the same with his estate, he gave directly to the gc. The gc are all young adults now and he's given them a great opportunity to be in positions to buy houses etc. the same will be for your BIL dc.

OP are you worried that BIL may want to manipulate the gc?

You can ask the solicitor to keep their contact details confidential so even the executers of the will (you?) don’t know, so they can just take the money and run if they so wish.

I suppose I’m just a little worried that they have never really had any contact with their birth fathers family, and they might feel some obligation in some way to get in touch. Or maybe that it will stir up some complex feelings regarding their adoption that they are not ready to deal with yet. MIL was asked if she could care for the children years ago, but declined, hence adoption. Perhaps they might feel the money is in some way a pay off?
It also might feel strange to them to unexpectedly receive money from what is essentially a stranger.

I am also a little worried that when BIL finds out he isnt getting anything he will contact them, if he finds out where they are, and manipulate or hound them for ‘his’ money. Like I say he’s not a particularly nice person.

The solicitor is dealing with it all, and hopefully it will all go smoothly. Presuming he finds them. The only info we have for him to work with is first names and the address of the adoption agency worker through which the letter box contact was through, and that is 5 years old now. We don’t even know their date of births! MIL presumably knew but we can’t find it written anywhere. I’m sure the solicitor will sort it all out though keep everything confidential and professional.

Hopefully they'll see it in a positive way - that they were loved and not forgotten by their grandma

@CatOfTheLand

Hopefully they'll see it in a positive way - that they were loved and not forgotten by their grandma

Agreed. This could be something very positive for them.

Those poor children. It will be a nice change for them to get something positive from what was clearly a horrific start to their lives.

I agree, getting older.

I was an adopted child, met birth mother once many years ago, when she died she left me money. It was her way of trying to put things right and I really appreciated it.

For those that responded back in Jan, just a quick update. We have found the 2 girls with the help of Banardos. They have accepted their inheritance, its all been dealt with through the solicitor. However they have also instigated letterbox contact where we can send some further information regarding their family and some pictures that we have of them. So all good hopefully. I'm not sure where it will all go, but I am happy to help try and answer any questions they have about this side of the family and hopefully they will know that we are not all like BIL/their father.

That’s a rather lovely update.

This is a nice update. OP, you sound like a sensitive and thoughtful person and I hope you are all able to build a really positive relationship with each other after this.

Great update.