Left something in Will that someone else has

[toastedcrumpetsrock]

I was left a number of things in the Will of a family member, all the same, relating to their and my profession- for example 10 typewriters of various age and condition, I had thought one was missing but couldn't be certain.
I have just seen a sm post of said 'typewriter' from someone else in the same profession who has 'borrowed' it from the relatives widow - where do I stand on this? I was never given a list of the items in the Will it was just termed ... I give toasted crumpets all of my typewriters absolutely.

How many old typewriters does one person actually need?

Sounds arkward but the typwriter legitamately belongs to OP and she is doing nothing wrong in asking for it.

Have you received the other typewriters OP and just this one oustanding ,or are you waiting for them all ?

@toastedcrumpetsrock Do you know who it has been loaned to?

Would you be able to write a letter to that person:

Dear Bob,
I understand that you were loaned typewriter X (include make/model) by DF. This typewriter is part of a bequest made to me by DF. I am happy for that loan to continue until X date.

If you have any queries on this matter then please contact Sue & Leggit Solicitors (add address).
Yours sincerely
Toasted

This way you are documenting the change of ownership, specifying what exactly is loaned and putting a time limit to the loan.

It is better to be clear. The person may think that the typewriter is now theirs by default. You don't want them selling it, giving it away or taking it to the tip simply because of a lack of clarity.

Quite.

The difficulty with collections of things is that DF's widow may just see the collection as dust catchers and not understand why any one would value the collection. Hence not being careful with distributing bequests.

My DF collected a particular type of history book. To a house clearance person these would end up in a skip. To the right sort of book dealer some of the books were very scarce and had significant value. After DF died DM gave the books to DB1 as he understood their significance.

@GnomeDePlume I think this is ultimately what I will do, to the posters asking how many typewriters I need to remember him by, none, but I do use them all in my professional work as did he and possibly my ds will too. The person who now has it uses it too and I'm happy for them to continue that for the time being but would eventually like it in my family not his

In answer to the other questions
I am in the uk
I received the other typewriters a few months after his death.
I saw a sm post showing off the missing typewriter in the course of work and stating it was on loan from widow

In that case definitely contact the person and clarify the typewriter is yours not the widow's.

You could copy in the executors as well. It is possible the widow has been less careful with the minor bequests which the executors will need to get a grip of.

I'd probably let it go. But I'm someone who doesn't really think fighting over the possessions of a deceased loved-one ever ends well.

Did you manage to resolve the situation OP? @toastedcrumpetsrock

I haven't done anything about it yet, there's been lots going on, I will probably email or visit the person who has it and try to avoid involving Aunt at all.

Sneaky…

Yes.
Seems odd to really want the 10th typewriter when you have received 9.

Unless the typewriter is worth £££ and the op doesn't want to disclose this is their motivation.

I heard lots of people go looney over wills & inheritance but hard to imagine getting worked up over this.

I think she used typewriters as an example, it's not actually that. It could be ten chainsaws or violins or horses or chisels or fountain pens...depending on what the work is that she refers to. So we don't know why she'd want ten of them, but that's not really the point.

Exactly; it's not literal typewriters the OP is talking about!

Unnecessary

Can you contact the person who borrowed it directly, explain the situation and say you don't want to bother the widow, but could they return it to you directly.

If the widow has a moral compass she should respect her dearly departed spouse and adhere to their wishes. I hope you get your item op.

No it's not. It is legally the OP's property. She doesn't want to upset the Aunt which is why she will contact the person directly. You seem determined that the will which outlines the wishes of the deceased should not be followed.

To address some questions/ comments:
I didn't think I was 'like a dog with a bone' I simply asked a question on the legal topic for some clarity- I haven't mentioned it to anyone irl
Asking the person directly seemed less upsetting than asking Aunt but maybe I should rethink this.
It's not a recent bereavement and I'm not sure if there is a time limit given that I now know who has the item - it has been 5 years.
Yes it's not typewriters, more like classic cars or violins so yes it is valuable but probably less value than the ones I already own and I am not interested in selling it or any of the others.
I use these items every day for work, a career that was inspired by my Uncle and inspired for him from his Grandad and something my ds is interested in.

@toastedcrumpetsrock I cannot see how anyone could accuse you of being like a dog with a bone.

The will was quite clear and you have allowed time to pass.

I think your proposal of contacting the person who has the item is the right one. They acknowledge the item is on loan and a polite letter/email would see a reasonable person return it.

I agree. I do hope that you manage to find a way to sort this out OP. I’m guessing that the person who has it doesn’t realise that it was left to you.