Suspected stolen inheritance.

[yesitssea]

My Gran has just died (about a month ago).

In her will it stated that she left me her jewellery as her only granddaughter.

My father has been clearing her house (declined help from me and my brother).

I went round the other day and noticed her jewellery boxes weren't on her dresser.

I asked where they were thinking he might have hid them since the house was standing empty.

He said 'oh I've combined everything into one box, but there wasn't anything in there, just costume jewellery'.

I know this to be not true. Because I've played with the contents of the box since I was a child and my daughter now plays with it.

I know there was an amount of gold necklaces, bracelets and specifically I know there was a charm bracelet and her mothers engagement ring which had a small
Diamond flower on it. They aren't there anymore.

I'm not particularly interested in the value, but those two items in particular are important to me from a sentimental perspective.

My father has a history of being a bit of a wheeler dealer and I'm concerned that he's taken the valuables and pawned them.

However I can't go looking at the minute as I feel awkward, don't have keys to the house
And don't want to cause an argument in a sensitive time.

What do I do? This is the only thing she left me in her will.

I'd say, Dad I'm really worried, Nans engagement ring, etc aren't with her jewellery, they're missing. Someone must have sneaked in the house whilst you were clearing and stolen them. I'm going to ring the police now.

Then do.

I'd guess he would then have another look around the house and "find" them.

I would ask to see the contents of the box - maybe it's genuine and he knows norhing about jewellery so put 'real' items in a bag with 'costume' stuff?

However I'd also make a list of every pawn shop within reasonable travel distance and would visit them all.

Exactly this ,call his bluff and see how he reacts

Something similar happened to me when a close relative died and my father tried something shady.

I didn't speak to him for two years. He knows full well why although we've never discussed it and eventually I decided it was water under the bridge.

To be honest I wish I had confronted him at the time but I was in too much shock and grieving. Too late now.

If I had my time again I would say something. My dad was the same as yours OP, a wheeler dealer type always with an eye on an opportunity.

Who is the executor of the Will? They are legally obliged to distribute the estate in accordance with the Will. I'd be making loud noises about items going missing (be specific about them) and getting legal advice. Put everyone on notice that your grandmother's wishes, as expressed in her Will, need to be followed.

Absolutely this. Good idea.

I'm not sure about an executor, is that normally a family member or a legal professional?

I'm even worried about her life assurance policy. My Grandad (her husband) is still alive but is in a home, I asked my dad if he could ask Grandad to get Power of Attorney for Grandad so he could cash in the assurance and pay for Grandads fees for his nursing home. But he just says it's 'all in hand'. My husband said to me 'you don't think he's pocketed it do you?' And I just don't know.

The only problem with this is that if he's pocketed it, it will be gone, quickly.

She needs to call the police, today, before wherever he's pawned it sells it on. My suggestion gives a chance for him to put it right and save face....

Yes, notify the police, but they are unlikely to do much if OP only has a hunch.

I had a similar experience. My grandma died when I was 7. I found her will when I was 30 and discovered she had left me her jewellery and watch. No one told me. My grandma's rings we're given to one of her daughters and the rest was pawned. Years later I asked for the rings from my auntie and she gave them to me. I don't think she had any idea either. It was my mum who sold/passed on the watch and other jewellery.

Do you know who the executor of the will is? I'm assuming it's your dad. Ask him again specifically for the items you mentioned in your post. If he denies, I would look round local pawn shops, or even eBay etc. I'm sorry for the loss of your gran.

I went around this morning. I was asked to clear some clothes, so I got four drawers done and said I'll do the jewellery next- I was told again 'there's not much of value there'

I said 'oh I know but I also know there's a solitaire engagement ring and a gold bracelet as I used to play with them'

I am fully expecting them to turn up.

Fingers crossed for you OP

They turned up 😍

I am not sure whether he just didn't see the value or whether my chat was a catalyst for them being found.

On another sad note my Grandfather who is now ailing after the death of his wife blurted out that when her life assurance came through he gave it all to my Father as payment for 'looking after him this past month'

I just said it's his money to do as he pleases with but at the same time my Father hasn't mentioned this at all, and it's quite a significant amount of money.