Executor being difficult

Annjules · 27 June 2017 at 6:52PM

Hi
I have recently informed that my Grandmother has died and has left me and my children something in her will.
My mother is the Executor and we have not spoken for a long long time. She is refusing to disclose exactly what has been left and is demanding that I collect and sign for the inheritance in person.
I am currently overseas and the last thing I want to do is come face to face with my mother again.
Probate has not been applied for officially.

Does anyone know where I stand legally and have any advice on what I should do next?

Thanks

leespot · 27 June 2017 at 7:28PM

Probably goes without saying, but do not sign anything without proper legal advice!

Sevennotemode · 27 June 2017 at 7:41PM

if probated.

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

That way you can check exactly what you have been left and you will not be relying
on the executor to inform you.

It would not be unreasonable to ask for a cheque in the post once the estate is finalised.

TBagpuss · 27 June 2017 at 8:04PM

Once probate is granted you can get a copy of the will (https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate )

There is no requirement for you to go in person to collect your inheritance. If it is financial then it could be transferred to your bank account, or sent as a cheque. If it is something physical then you can ask for it to be sent to you, or you could sign a form of authority for someone else to collect it on your behalf. (If you say that, say, Joe Bloggs can collect and give a good receipt on your behalf then your mother, as executor, is covered.

If your children are still under 18 then things might be a bit more complicated, depending on what the will says (but even then you don't need to be there in person, you just might need to have a second trustee or comply with rules about how any assets are invested for them)

If your mum is beig really difficult you could contact a solicitor of your own and get them to write to her.

How recently did your grandmother die? Probate can take a while, and if her estate was very small it might not be necessary.

Annjules · 28 June 2017 at 4:56AM

I am assuming her estate would have been quite small, apparently her funeral was a few weeks ago.
I plan to write to my mother again and ask that whatever I have been left be posted by registered mail...failing that I will approach a solicitor.

Thank you for the advice

Executor being difficult

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