Would DH have been entitled to anything if he had contested the will?

[Kirby67]

MIL passed away 18 months ago. A few months later DH received a letter from FIL lawyer asking if he wanted to make a claim on MIL estate. DH said no and I will be honest that he assumed that he would be gifted some money because PIL are quite wealthy from inheritance and various other streams. I was pregnant with DC1 at the time and we have been saving to try and move to a house out of an apartment but live in a big city so obviously it's taking time.

Anyways the estate settled and FIL has never mentioned another thing about it. He has made the odd "when I die you will get money" strange joke but otherwise no mention.

What would have happened if DH had told the lawyer that he did contest? Not that it makes any difference now but I will admit he is quite bitter about it all considering FIL knows we have been trying really hard to upgrade to a house.

FIL lives in Scotland if that makes any difference.

It isn’t a claim in Scotland, it is an entitlement to a third of your parent’s moveable estate. You don’t have to claim it, it is yours unless you sign it away. Hence why he had to be contacted and asked what he wished to do.

Every day's a school day 😂. Thank you for educating us! Yes the spouse's prior rights could get everything...if it's a large estate with lots of cash left over the children may get something. My quick Google says spouse gets house up to certain value (depending how it's owned) furniture etc up to £29k and cash up to £50000.00 . All complex.