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Original poster

Difficult situation with child's inheritance

15 replies

AInightingale · 16/07/2025 23:08

My son who turned 18 six weeks ago was left £20K by his father's late uncle. As he was a minor at the time, the money was to be held in trust. The age at which he was due to inherit was 18 - my other son recalls seeing on a letter at his father's house.
I have not spoken to his father for nearly a year now - he has stopped seeing the children (his choice) and has a new partner. Basically a deadbeat dad who doesn't want to know.

As the inheritance was on his father's side, I didn't really take much to do with it, but on reading into it now, it appears that such assets are typically held by two 'trustees', and I'm not aware of who these people are. I assumed that the money would be held in some kind of account (I'm in the UK, NI in case our law is different) and invested, ready for the child to access once they reach majority.

Last Christmas and my children's birthdays this year have all passed without any contact from their father, and my son has heard nothing about his inheritance yet. Don't even know the name of the solicitor who handled his great uncle's estate. Would the trustee be the parent/grandparent, and if so, could they have had access to these funds while my son was still a minor? I know I sound horribly financially irresponsible, and I'm totally clueless about inheritance, but it was not my side of the family to begin with!

OP posts:
VanCleefArpels · 16/07/2025 23:14

Was there not correspondence at the time of the death of the benefactor from a solicitor or trustee? What has your son asked his dad about this? I think you may need to be proactive and ask your ex. Trustees do have a duty to maximise returns for the beneficiary of the trust. You need to get full accounts

Original poster
AInightingale · 16/07/2025 23:48

We were already separated when the uncle's affairs were being settled and I didn't see any correspondence or get a copy (that would be a first from my ex, he is v disorganised). I really don't think he would be capable of handling investments. Yes I wish I had been more proactive at the time.

OP posts:
reversegear · 16/07/2025 23:55

So you don’t recall the solicitors names? Can any other family members help you? Do you 100% know this was in the will and was to go to your Ds?

its a lot of money to potentially loose.

reversegear · 16/07/2025 23:56

I’d be worried your Ex has taken it.

BreakingBroken · 17/07/2025 00:04

"held in trust" can be a bit of a blanket term and mean anything from a savings account "meant" for him, to a legally involving a lawyer.
your sons should ask.
is there a reason your son is incapable of managing a simple investment platform (which can be a simple as a high interest savings account or 1 year government bond to money invested in the stock market over 10 international companies).

Original poster
AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:07

reversegear · 16/07/2025 23:56

I’d be worried your Ex has taken it.

Please don't say that!

Yes, definitely in the will, the exact amount was £19400 or something like that, shares of the estate split between a number of great nieces and nephews.

Reading about it, it seems that anyone can be nominated as a trustee – usually either an adult relative or financial professional/ nominated company used by the solicitor for these matters. I sincerely hope it's the latter. As long as my son's money is safe - he does have a savings account which I have managed and is in no immediate need of it. Just says it all about my ex that he hasn't bothered contacting him, the correspondence is bound to have gone care/of his address.

He inherited from this relative himself at the time and it's a safe bet that his own share has long gone. He's so damn selfish and petty that he probably resents his kids inheriting anything at all.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 17/07/2025 00:11

AInightingale · 16/07/2025 23:48

We were already separated when the uncle's affairs were being settled and I didn't see any correspondence or get a copy (that would be a first from my ex, he is v disorganised). I really don't think he would be capable of handling investments. Yes I wish I had been more proactive at the time.

there must be someone else who is a trustee for this money. If it’s not you, it could be another family member or a legal representative.

firstly I would get your son to calmly ask his father why he has not yet received his inheritance. Rather than going in all guns blazing. Even if it’s writing a letter or FB message. See what his father says.

secondly, if his father ignores him, You will need to find a copy of his great-uncle’s will. You can either ask family or try visiting this site. https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate - not sure if a copy of it costs anything nowadays but it shouldn’t be much.

it should list the trustees. From then you’ll be able to contact the second one presuming your ex is one.

If the other trustee and your ex don’t co operate or ignore him, your son should send a “final demand” type letter asking for it one more time, and then if this is ignored he needs to visit citizens advice to get legal advice on the matter. if you suspect your ex has stolen and spent it- consult a solicitor as what he has done may constitute fraud and theft. Your son will have to take civil legal action to try to recoup the money.

Just to say, if the will doesn’t mention the trust, unfortunately there’s not really any way of proving such a trust exists for your son. But hopefully it does- or it says something like he trusts his son (your ex) to hold onto it for your son.

good luck

Search probate records for documents and wills (England and Wales)

Search online for a will, grant of representation or probate document for a death in or after 1858

https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

Tadahhh · 17/07/2025 00:11
  1. As your Ex, or your son shoukd
  2. If he isn’t forthcoming, contact the solicitor

If you can get a copy of the will, do

ClairDeLaLune · 17/07/2025 00:29

Echo PP above - get a copy of the will online. Anyone can apply with the name and approximate date of death.

Original poster
AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:30

I am in Northern Ireland @simsbustinoutmimi and it seems we don't have that service. I tried it out for England and Wales and entered my own late uncle's details (he was an Englishman) and it came up very quickly, but unfortunately we don't have an equivalent.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 17/07/2025 00:34

AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:30

I am in Northern Ireland @simsbustinoutmimi and it seems we don't have that service. I tried it out for England and Wales and entered my own late uncle's details (he was an Englishman) and it came up very quickly, but unfortunately we don't have an equivalent.

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/search-will-calendars

maybe have a look at these?

Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI)

PRONI is the official archive for Northern Ireland and holds documents covering a period from 1600 to the present day

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/public-record-office-northern-ireland-proni

Original poster
AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:42

The PRONI records are historical ones as far as I know @simsbustinoutmimi. Don't seem to be able to search for present day wills.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 17/07/2025 00:45

AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:42

The PRONI records are historical ones as far as I know @simsbustinoutmimi. Don't seem to be able to search for present day wills.

Oh right. You’d be best ringing or emailing the probate office in Belfast.

[email protected]

0300 200 7812

they will send you out a paper copy of the will for a small fee

Original poster
AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:51

I will do that tomorrow @simsbustinoutmimi and see what they advise. Our law is in many ways different from other parts of the UK and just not as easy to access on a personal basis - you must use a solicitor to arrange power of attorney for instance, whereas I think you can fill in the forms yourself in GB.

OP posts:
simsbustinoutmimi · 17/07/2025 01:17

AInightingale · 17/07/2025 00:51

I will do that tomorrow @simsbustinoutmimi and see what they advise. Our law is in many ways different from other parts of the UK and just not as easy to access on a personal basis - you must use a solicitor to arrange power of attorney for instance, whereas I think you can fill in the forms yourself in GB.

Hopefully you get it sorted and the will says who else to contact RE the inheritance.

I do think in the meantime your son should get in touch with his dad, if he is NC with his father’s whole family on his terms, his dad may have not known which bank account to send the money to or the address to send the cheque to. There could be a logical explanation as your son has not long turned eighteen.

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