Intestate question

[WingingItSince1973]

My dad died on Sunday. We didn't have a close relationship. I did try and keep up one with him but he was a stubborn man and I don't think really like me as we are very different people. My mum was a victim of dv and left him when I was a toddler (am 50 now). I had close relationship with aunties and grandparents on his side of family so saw him sporadically during my teens but nothing much during my adulthood. Anyway I was called to the hospital by my aunty and was with him when he died. He wasn't awake and I'm not sure if he knew I was there. So here's the thing. Aunty messaged me to ask if his name is on my birth certificate. It is and I sent her a screenshot. Now he didn't have a will and I'm and have been for the last 10 years his next of kin. No more children. He outlived his partner and they weren't married. There seems to be no legal papers anywhere to suggest anyone is next of kin. I'm being told now that a verbal agreement was my aunty and another uncle to have any money left over and treat myself and 3 others whatever that means. My aunty had a very close relationship with him along with my remaining two uncles. My question is would I be contacted regarding his 'estate'? He didn't own property and I have no idea of his finances. They are emptying his council house this week and have turned down my offers of help. There's also a chance now of compensation as he died with a condition bought about by his working environment and we are waiting for post mortem. My aunty wants to take over everything. Morally and legally what should I do? I'm not one for confrontation and it would be easier to give my aunty legal powers but then part of me thinks my dad owes me for never ever providing anything for me. I hate this though as I'm not at all materialistic but if there's a good amount of money it would really help my situation as I don't work due to illness and my poor dh shoulders the burden of earning a living and we live week to week. Sorry it's long. Hope someone can help advise what I should do xx

I agree with PP who have suggested putting it away for a couple of months and doing nothing in that time. Take time to grieve. Your DC do not need the money right now - they can wait for your decision too.
Tell your Aunty you are not making any decisions right now. Don’t promise her anything but don’t lead her on either if you do intend to give her nothing. Block if you have to.
Wishing you all the best.

I definitely wouldn’t make financial decisions just yet either. But if the aunt and cousin think that OP may change her mind or be worn down over time then if I were OP I’d be mindful of that as they may be biding their time for a payout.

We experienced this when my great uncle died and left the majority of his estate to my mum, his niece, for various reasons. The pretty cottage he owned and my grandad (his brother) thought he’d inherit wasn’t left to him but they weren’t that close or not in touch much and my uncle had made better decisions with his life. My grandad got left a good amount of money but no family antiques as his brother thought and knew they’d be sold but my mum wouldn’t do that.

The relatives hovered round us for about a year or so with lavish gifts and were invited over for lunch and dinner so they saw the family antiques but then came a poison pen letter from my uncle accusing my mum (he was married to my mum’s half sister) of getting her uncle to change the will in her favour (totally untrue) and other really silly and nasty words. My uncle always disliked my mum and the legacy only made it worse but my mum didn’t want to pay them off (they’d all got bequests in the will) but it’s amazing how people try to make you feel guilty.

The aunty would quite literally get sweet FA from me as I said before. The nasty woman and her son have done enough damage including insinuating OP isn’t the daughter of her father. How low can they get?

Take your time OP. Grieve and put the money away for at least a couple of months. And do check that he did not have other money - building society, other bank, insurance., You can check all this, before you decide what to do. It is possible that there were bank books, building society accounts etc at the house that your aunt has. So, go slow.