Inheritance to adopted child

[harlacem0507]

This is a very delicate/awkward post but I just need some advice.

My grandfather died 3 weeks ago, expected, a good age of 93, we were all with him. His will stipulates that his house/money goes to his 3 children, should any of them pass away before he did, the money that child was due to get goes to their children.

My dad passed away 3 years ago suddenly. I'm still grieving and will never get over it. However, my parents adopted me when I was 4 years old. My uncle (he's awful) has dropped hints that he will contest the will because I am not a biological child and I shouldn't get my father's share. My question is, will be have a case? The best of it is, I'm not bothered about the money, I have money and my OH has a good job and it won't be millions but still a good amount obviously, but it hurts more because he obviously doesn't see me as 'real' family? I mean that in itself just devastates me but what also bothers me is that I don't want him to get my dad's share either because he doesn't deserve it after what he has said about his own brothers daughter. Does it matter if I'm adopted?

PS my son is adopted and legally it's the same as a birth child.

This is good advice, as are similar posts.
If you are in doubt you could get individual legal advice to put your mind at rest. I'd say try to look at it factually and not let yourself be too emotionally dragged down. At least you had a lovely dad and not everyone can say that.

I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad and grandad.

You are your Dad’s daughter.

That’s the beginning and end if it.

Vile hearted uncle can swivel.

Who are the executors?

The OPs grandad had 3 children so the uncle is getting a third.

The OP hasn't mentioned siblings so if she is an only child and was excluded then the uncle would then get a half instead of a third.

Tell him you’re contesting the will unless he takes a DNA test to prove he really is part of the family

Adoption does matter, in that it gives you exactly the same legal standing as a biological child, rather than a child he cared about but didn’t do the legal stuff for.

It also matters because your uncle has now confirmed to you what an utter shit he is, and how cross I expect your dad would have been with him for doing this, and that you can now cut him out of your life with no worries or concerns at all. And because you share zero genes with the nasty fucker.

I’d say fight him and publicly donate the money to charity to spite the uncle. But that’s just me being spiteful.

your parents choose you, they made you family, you are absolutely entitled to your fathers share, take it and spoil yourself like your DF would have done if he could xx

Everyone's already said it - as an adopted child, you have exactly the same legal status as any biological child.

It is depressing to see yet another example of someone, in this case your uncle, morphing into an unbelievable a-h over inheritance. But wills are second only to boundary disputes when it comes to making apparently normal people turn into moral werewolves.

So sorry for your loss OP.
Don't be concerned, your Uncle doesn't have a leg to stand on, you are your father's daughter in every sense.
Contesting a Will is extremely expensive and any solicitor will tell your Uncle he is wasting his time.

No. Your uncle will not have a case because you were legally adopted.
We’ve been through this exact situation only the person in the end wasn’t legally adopted so lost what they might have got in an intestate situation.
The first thing the legal team did was check who was entitled to inherit and check whether a relative had been legally adopted. They weren’t so weren’t entitled to inherit.

You on the other hand we’re legally adopted,

Ps OP.
The 2% on the AIBU was me.
I pressed the wrong one. Just in case you were wondering why someone thinks YABU..it was a mistake. It is late 🥴

What a horrible uncle you have. Of course you are your father's dd. He adopted you. That makes you legally his child.

Legally ( because of adoption) you are your parents child, your cousins are also legally their parents children just via a different mechanism. It didn't matter, in the eyes of the law you are all equal.

If you haven't seen the will, while it's extremely unlikely it states biological offspring only, do check in order to save yourself unnecessary hassle. Assuming not and it's a standard will where children inherit you are equal to others.
You Uncle is being a selfish idiot, he can try and challenge the will, he'd be very lucky to manage get a solicitor to help with such a ridiculous case !!( And if he did it alone any bills accrued would fall in him as there is no way he'd win. )

He's being selfish, pic headed and ignorant. Just ignore him and don't engage.

Your uncle is not only nasty but completely ignorant about English law.
You have nothing at all to worry about.

Let him try. He won’t win.

What hints? What has he actually said and to who?

Who will be the executors of the will.? Will it go to probate? Hopefully they will do the right thing and follow the will instructions.

OP it's early days, just 3 weeks after his father died and he's talking shit. Once he goes to see a solicitor who tells him he has zero chance of success (assuming the wording of the Will aligns with what you've said) but he's happy to relieve him of thousands of pounds for him to hear it first hand from a judge, then get saddled with costs when he loses, he might think twice.

In a will the word “child” means a biological child and a legally adopted child. It does not include a step child or a child not legally adopted but living with the family as a child of the family.

Your uncle is a disgusting, grabby cunt.
I hope you’re alright pal, I’m so sorry to read of your loss, you just remember you’re your dads daughter and he adored you and loved you because he wanted to, nobody forced him! You’re his girl and he’d think your uncle was a tremendous prick for this!

My DP has just had strong words with his family member (surprise baby that showed up after a sibling group was adopted, we all think he’s a twat) about his behaviour towards his sisters. Even his mum said if her birth kids were turning out like him she’d have only had the one, always been a tit. Anyway, the sisters are everyone’s favourite, especially their dad. You are absolutely “real” family, it’s just like any other family, there’s always a dickhead.

much love to you and just grieve your dad without worrying about uncle dickhead 💐💐💐

That's awful and not right. A family member was adopted and told me stories like this - all the children inheriting a special heirloom except her etc. Adoption should make no difference to inheritance, the whole point is that you have adopted someone into the family.

OP, I'm sorry for your losses.

Unfortunately, an inheritance brings out the absolute worst in some people. It sounds like you already knew your uncle was an arsehole, but it's still upsetting to have to deal with his greed at this time.

My MIL died recently; it's been a real eye opener to the true nature of DH's siblings.

I’m sorry for your loss. I don’t think your horrible uncle would have a leg to stand on if he contests the will.

I think the standard wording of wills explicitly states "by nature or adoption" - something that sounds antiquated. The only way to leave out one grandchild would be to list the others by name (and if the excluded grandchild joined the family after the date of the will thry could contest it).
I was taken aback by what your uncle said after the death of your dad. I hope he doesn't cause you much more distress.

@harlacem0507 As a fellow adoptee I didn't realise that we have the same legal rights as bio children!
Your Uncle sounds horrid.