Inheritance

[Cheesyenchilada]

NC as I really don’t want to be outed! Hopefully some of you can help.

I have a family member (my sister) that is the sole executor of late DMs estate. The family dynamics have always been strained as we all have very different views. Four siblings in total for contex.

DS is not sharing any information whatsoever. So we have no idea of what property is being sold, personal items, money in the bank etc. And I have never been through this procedure before so completely baffled as to what the process is.

Does the sale have to notify the beneficiaries and at what point are solicitors involved. Who gets the final lump sum of all monies to divide according to the will. As well as myself and other siblings , we have 7 children in the family altogether who have all been left small amounts (although substantial enough to make a difference for them).

Will the solicitor contact everyone and then transfer the money? If so that is great. I am praying this is the case. Can anyone confirm this? Ps we don’t even know what solicitor is acting.

Also, one sibling has said they do not want to get involved and the other one lives abroad so is not available in the UK anyway. Can anyone help? WWYD

If your sister is sole Executor, she does not need a solicitor, she can do everything herself.

Do you know if there was a Will, if so, have you seen a copy?

Your sister will need to value everything, including a house, then apply for probate, which can take a while to get.

You can check here whether probate has yet been granted.

probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

Once she has probate, she is responsible for selling the house and splitting all proceeds as per the Will. She must keep a set of accounts and provide those to the beneficiaries.

As the PP said, your sister is the sole executor so no solicitor is needed and she can do it all yourself. She should provide you with a breakdown at the end but she doesn't have to provide regular updates as she goes along. The executor will have all the money in the meantime.

Being an executor is a big responsibility and a lot of work. I would give her a break tbh.

Thank you, yes there is a Will and probable has already been granted. Being executor is a huge job, you are right, and we have all offered to help but she flatly refuses then lays blame. She also doesn’t work, but then is the first to moan she has nothing! Can’t quite win! It’s her choice and we completely understand, and to a point really don’t care what she does with her life.

I really appreciate your comments, thank you

Why did your mother select your sister as sole executor?

to be fair its not something you can help with - your sister can't really get you to deal with the banks etc or the house sale - as they will ask in what capacity are you dealing with it and as your not executors they won't deal with you

If you get a copy of the probate as instructed above, it will show any solicitors who are acting.

The probate will also come with a copy of the will and assuming you are a residuary beneficiary she will have to account to you for the money so you can see where it all went.

If she's using a solicitor the money will go directly to the beneficiaries from the solicitors.