To ask about the will?

[Wolfie11]

My grandfather passed away around 6 months ago. We were very close and he had spoken about how his estate would be divided on numerous occasions. My aunt, who I’m not close to and don’t know very well, is executor. This is only because her sibling, my parent, passed away before my grandfather did. I asked about the will a few months ago and was very abruptly told it hadn’t been dealt with yet.

I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before. I understand it can take a long time for everything to be sorted out but my grandparents didn’t have a massive estate. I don’t massively trust my aunt and since my grandfather fell ill she has done her best to try and keep my brother and I at arms length, been less than forthcoming with important information etc. Growing up, we spent every single weekend with my grandparents, my brother lived with them for a while and then we visited very regularly until their passing. Until my grandfather fell ill, I could count on one hand the amount of times I had seen them visit.

Would I be unreasonable to contact my aunt again and ask for an update? The whole thing makes me feel very uncomfortable but I knew my grandparents and I know they wouldn’t have liked my brother and I to be left in the dark or for everything to be dragged out. They were very sensible people who always wanted to look after their family.

Once probate has been granted a Will becomes a public document. Any one can apply to have a copy of it. If she is unforthcoming with information then you can apply to view the Will via the GOV.UK website - are you in England/Wales? Scotland and NI have a different process I think.

Are you wondering whether you’ve been left something in the will? If you have you will be contacted in due course. If you haven’t then if your Aunt is unwilling to talk with you you will have to wait until the will is published usually some months after probate.

It can take a little while for these things to be sorted. You can see if probate has been granted on the government website and go from there.

Just be mindful she has lost her dad and might not have started sorting things in the midst of her grief.

My DM passed away 6 months ago and we are nowhere near sorting out her estate. Probate can take up to 2 years sometimes.

My advice is to leave asking any questions about the will for a future date as you will come across as grabby right now.

Thanks for the replies, I won’t say anything and will maybe wait until it’s been around a year. I’m definitely not grabby, if there has been anything left it will be put into my DS’s account for when he’s older. There are some sentimental things that would be nice to have but I feel very uncomfortable asking. It’s just all awkward as we aren’t close enough to just openly discuss it the way I would have been able to if it was my parent who was executor. Like I said, I don’t know anything about the process hence why I asked here. Thanks a lot for the advice.

Was there definitely a will?
Tricky op, as someone said she's lost her dad.

But unfortunately I have no trust at all when people are exxutrors like this for instance he may leave you cash but if she clears out /closes down bank account how will you know what was there?

My dads probate took about 12 months if that helps.

You could perhaps say though, is it possible to have an item that is sentimental to me and ask for something specific. But unfortunately be prepared for a no.

If there are sentimental things you would like, it might be worth asking about those. Your Aunt may not realise that you want those things and may get rid of things as part of clearing the house. You could also ask her if she needs any help sorting things out, as it can be quite overwhelming.

Sorry for your loss op.
I've recently,very sadly,had to do two probate processes and it took a year to get it granted diy,using a solicitor,I'm told is much faster but expensive.
Once it was granted there were still bills to pay before I could start to release money for bequests.it was approximately 14 months before I could release money.
I hope you manage to have some sentimental pieces.remember he will always be with you in your memories and dreams.🌈

Thing is probate isn't always necessary. Think I'd be pressing aunt. At least for sight of will and some sort of timescale. www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate

You asked about the will a few months ago, so a few months after he died. I think you need to take a step back, you will be contacted in due course if there is anything in the will for you. If there is no will, then you (and any siblings) should inherit what your parent would have if they had survived.

I think you are absolutely right to be wary. The governance of Wills in this country is actually quite shocking. If the Will is substantial then there are a few more checks and balances because the inland revenue are involved - but if a family member is the executor and the estate is worth under £325000 or in the case of a couple where the last deceased has both IHT exemptions then no tax payable under £650k .

There is however still a need for probate. Except when it's not !

Depending upon the institution they require a grant of probate between estates worth 5k-50k

Therefore it is entirely possible for a family member acting as executor to ignore any bequests in a Will and putting it all in their own account. As the will will not be published.

I only found this out when my husbands brothers did exactly this. Forging a Will and leaving it to each sibling excluding my DH (apparently as no probable so Will never seen) splitting £50k between the two of them. We went to solicitors but challenging this in the civil courts would have cost as much as any inheritance. So settled for NC because they are grabby cunts.

The whole system needs a shake up with EVERY Will being published .

Probable/ Probate !

You can ask for a copy of the Will. If she refuses - go to a solicitor.

Personally, I would contact your aunt again and just ask if there is an update. My FIL passed away last year and before I sent off the original Will to apply for probate I took copies of it, in case anyone wanted to see it. Probate was quite straight forward, small house and small amount of savings, so no inheritance tax. Probate was received around 3 months later.

I asked about the will a few months ago and was very abruptly told it hadn’t been dealt with yet.

If I was executor, the least I would disclose is the extent to which you may inherit, ie specific legacy or share in residue, and if you were not a beneficiary I would have told you of that fact then.

The answer you got would indicate to me you were mentioned in the Will.