Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Possible dodgy will execution shenanigans....Advice please!

92 replies

HeyPesto55 · 18/11/2019 21:35

Oh wise mumsnetters, please help me piece this one together as it's somethjng I know very little about.

My lovely, wonderful grandmother (whom I'm very close to) was in a very loving and mutually adoring relationship with a lovely man she met in her village. They were together later in life (late 80s) for some time until he sadly passed away 4 years ago.

Said man had 2 grandsons, nether of whom he saw very often. And neither of whom lived locally. Not really relevant. Just background.

The eldest grandson was executed of the will. Lovely man had told my lovely Grandmother in certainty that he would leave her 1/3 rd of his estate in case she ever needed nursing or care fees. And because he felt that's what he wanted to do. He didn't see grandsons that often. And no great grand children. In fact both my grandmother and lovely man changed their wills at the same time. She could be mistaken in the split but I doubt it very much. She's super smart (and very non money grabbing!)

Just after lovely man's passing, my grandmother receives a letter from the eldest grandson with a personal cheque. The amount is nowhere near a third of the estate. It's clearly a token amount.

My Grandmother tried to ring the solicitors to clarify and was told to speak to the grandson. Now there could be a mix up here but all seems a little squiffy to me.

Do executers send personal cheques? Do you not get a copy / receipt from the solicitors?

How would we ask for evidence of what was in the will? Help!

OP posts:
HeyPesto55 · 14/12/2019 12:52

Will do everyone, thanks for all the support. Mumsnet really is an invaluable place for support and advice on super random topics!Smile

OP posts:
TrueCrimeFan · 14/12/2019 16:29

Glad the thread was helpful and hope you get a response

TheresWaldo · 15/12/2019 21:43

I am hoping for a happy result for all concerned.

StCharlotte · 19/12/2019 08:52

I may fall at the first hurdle trying to find their addresses. Which would be a bit of an anti climax

It will be on the grant of probate.

We are in a similar position but it was a distant relative who died intestate two years ago and we've heard nothing. The executor (personal rep actually but effectively the same thing) is a relation at the same level as us (e.g. both great nieces but from different branches of the family). We've made ourselves known and we're giving them the benefit of the doubt for now...

I work in probate - some of the family behaviour is shocking!

HeyPesto55 · 20/12/2019 07:46

StCharlotte it really is. Just reading the internet is depressing enough. You must come across all sorts in your work.

That's a good point, the younger grandson's address will be there. The older grandson and the one we think was more of the driving force has since built a house apparently, so I wouldn't know that address. But I am led to believe he is pretty well known where he lives for a niche skill that he has so I can't imagine it would take long to find him.

Good luck with your case. 2 years! Surely it's been settled by now?

OP posts:
TheReef · 20/12/2019 08:12

I presume the gs thought your gm would pass before being able to do anything. Even is she decides to give her third to the cats home I'd go after the money out of principal. Despicable people

Greenkit · 21/12/2019 14:03

Nothing brings out the greedy, like a will and money

Your poor GM x

MrsSchadenfreude · 14/01/2020 21:10

@HeyPesto55 - any progress?

HeyPesto55 · 14/01/2020 22:26

Ah, sadly not. But thank you for checking in.

My lovely GM sadly passed away quite suddenly following a fall.

She was such an amazing woman and a very fine age, but still I miss her terribly.

We will pursue it still if we can, through my uncle and the solicitors, but not until everything has settled down a bit.

OP posts:
EveHolt · 14/01/2020 22:48

HeyPesto so sorry to hear that Flowers

HeyPesto55 · 15/01/2020 07:42

Thank you EveHolt, very kind of you to say x

OP posts:
Upstartcrones · 15/01/2020 09:15

Out of curiosity why would you still pursue it if your GM has died? What they did was very wrong but you are going to burn money on legal feee. Are you hoping to get the money yourself?

Sorry for your loss Flowers

HeyPesto55 · 15/01/2020 22:19

Upstartcrones, there was some good advice on this thread about the next steps.
None of these require any great financial outlay initially.

It's the principle really. It's not my money. It was left to my GM. And in the event of her death, my uncle. It wasn't left to the person who ended up with it. (Or so we think).

Just answers really.

OP posts:
Upstartcrones · 17/01/2020 11:48

Would the man have wanted the money to go to your uncle though or to his grandsons? Given that he wanted it to be used for care home fees for your GM, which now isn't the case hasn't the situation changed somewhat?

Morally the grand children haven't done the right thing for sure but equally is it morally right for it to go to the uncle? Would the man have included the uncle in his will- probably not.

Legally I'm sure its clear but chasing it after your GM has died is a grey area. From an outsiders perspective it doesnt appear to be about the principle anymore more the cash.

Not trying to offend just offering a perspective.

HeyPesto55 · 18/01/2020 09:43

Hi upstartcrones. This is an interesting question. Made slightly easier to answer in that the will clearly states that the money should go to my uncle in the event of my GM's death actually.

My GM didn't need lovely man's money - she was comfortable in her own right. So actually, it was a bit over simplistic to state it was for care fees. My uncle would have also cared for her, as he did for lovely man.

I don't think it's grey at all, actually. If we start from the simple premise that if I amass some money in my lifetime and I write a will, I expect my wishes to be honoured. Because it was my money. If I want to leave it to the donkey sanctuary, then the donkey sanctuary doesn't question the morals of whether they actually deserve that money, do they?

I think it would be potentially be a bit money grabbing for me to pursue the money and expect to see some personally. But I would definitely want my uncle to have anything recouped. Though I actually don't even expect to see anything at all. Would just like answers.

OP posts:
TooTrusting · 18/01/2020 10:07

And the grandsons should be held to account for what they did.
This isn't about getting the money, I can see that. It's about the truth and not letting someone get away with ripping off an old lady. It was theft, pure and simple.

CoraPirbright · 22/01/2020 09:05

Absolutely, TooTrusting

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.