My Father died just over two years ago. He didn’t leave a will. We had been estranged for several years.
I have two siblings from his second marriage. Straight away they took the money from his bank account and from a private pension. They didn’t need a grant of probate for either as the amounts fell below the threshold. This money was shared between them.
A death in service payment is due from his civil service pension. Initially my sister tried to claim this and did not mention my existence on the form. This was quickly discovered and I was contacted to help them claim because without me it wouldn’t be paid out.
I submitted my claim. Unfortunately just over two years has passed since the death and so there is now a 45% tax on the lump sum and letters of administration are now required.
I suspect my sister will apply for this and then the money will be paid to her and shared between her and my brother. Had it of been paid before the two year deadline it would have been split between the three of us by the pension company.
What I’m asking is what will happen now and what I can do. Their Mother is still alive but refusing to get involved given they have been separated, but still married, for almost fifteen years.
Its not an insignificant amount and I am as entitled as they are.