t would you do? Apparently in will

[WeatherwaxOn]

A decade ago I lived next door to an elderly couple. They had no children or family and we got on well. One day they announced that they were updating their wills and wanted to leave their estate me and DH. We signed papers.
Fast forward to now. We moved some years ago and despite sending letters/cards didn't hear from this couple any more.
I've just found out that they have both died, one about 6y ago, the other about 18m ago. Only discovered this as saw a "for sale" noticed outside the house.
Would it be rude/strange to contact the solicitor we used at the time of the document to query this?
I'm not so fussed about the estate but had loaned neighbour some items belonging to my late parents that I would like back.

No, I would in your situation. If they didn't find a copy of the will and it was intestate, they'd trace distant family members

The irony is that of our former neighbours at least 3 of them would have known where we lived, and all cards/letters we sent to the persons above had our names and return addresses. Needless to say, I was surprised to find out that nobody had told me of their deaths.

I imagine they've left it to another neighbour now. You said "'I'm not so fussed about the estate but had loaned neighbour some items belonging to my late parents that I would like back" - why were you not in touch about those things? Why move away, leaving them behind?

It's worth looking into. You can't offend them as they have passed away.

I often wonder this too (except it wasn't a house). As a child and teen my piano teacher was a very elderly lady. She had been my Nan's piano teacher. She had no children, just a nephew.

One day she informed me and my parent's that she had decided that when anything happened to her she wanted her piano and a lifetime collection of music to go to someone who would appreciate it and that she wanted it to be me.

For the next couple of years she mentioned this frequently.

We One day we were informed she had been taken ill and then a few months later gone into a residential home. Nothing after that. I often wonder if she had done anything formally (she was the type to have made a will). It wasn't about the monetary value, it was the sentiment.

What papers did you sign? You can’t sign a will if you’re also a beneficiary.

Sounds like your checking to see if you have inherited something....seems odd that this couple added you to their will but wouldnt be surprised if they changed it seeing how you moved and havent seen them in years. Sad really given they obviously thought a lot of you both to consider leaving their estate to you

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

You can search for all wills registered for probate on gov.uk here.

@Candleabra

What papers did you sign? You can’t sign a will if you’re also a beneficiary.

I was thinking this!

OP, have you checked on here to see whether a will has gone through probate?

@HollowTalk

I imagine they've left it to another neighbour now. You said "'I'm not so fussed about the estate but had loaned neighbour some items belonging to my late parents that I would like back" - why were you not in touch about those things? Why move away, leaving them behind?

We'd not long had a child. My father died. I had other things on my mind at the time. I did used to try phoning but they were elderly and deaf, so I used to write to them.

I'll try speaking to the solicitors. I can find one potential name on the probate but not 100% sure it's the right person as the year of death is earlier.
They were an odd couple and didn't get on with many people.
At the time we moved we had a lot going on - and neighbour had been ill. I loaned items to cheer them up and then despite writing to them never heard any more from them.

As for the papers, my memory may be failing me. We certainly saw at the time something like a will, but it was 10+ years ago, and a lot has happened since then. However, soon after that another neighbour moved and we had documents to sign. They used the same solicitor for everything so I may well be conflating things.

I'm not so fussed about the estate

Of course you’re not

Thanks to those who offered helpful advice.
Sorry if people think I'm being mercenary for asking if my loaned items have gone. As I said, I've just found out that they're both dead. I assume they were in care and the property is being sold to cover those costs.
I doubt any of it amounts to much as it hadn't been decorated since the 1960s and was a poky flat. As was ours, hence our moving when we had a child.

I expect they changes there will when you moved and did not keep visiting them or have them over to your new house or make sure they were looked after.
Did you even think about them in lockdown or all the last ten years or Christmas, and all there birthdays.
If you want a inheritance you usually have to show you care.!!

@Candleabra

What papers did you sign? You can’t sign a will if you’re also a beneficiary.

Yes you can. Executors can also be beneficiaries. However beneficiaries can not be witnesses.