Inheritance

pukkamum

My dh's nan died back in febuary and in her will left each of her grandchildren £1000, now we only found out about this because my dh's mum told him (she is divorced from his dad and got the info from her youngest son). We haven't heard anything from his dad about it yet, but are concerned because my dh isn't his dad's biological son and one of his dad's brothers has always made it clear that my dh was NOT part of his family. So as we haven't heard anything we were wondering if the elder brother may have said that my dh was not entitled to any money as he wasn't his nan's natural grandson.(even though we made more of an effort to see her than any of the other grandchildren!) Would he have a case if he made this objection?

beer_tins

If the will is well written, perhaps the grandchildren are named in it, which would make it easier.

If your DH was adopted, I think it's a bit blurry as to whether he is a "grandchild" under the law.

Do you know who the executor of the will is?

FairyElephant_2

According to the TV programme 'Heir Hunters' where they traced relatives after people died without leaving wills, adopted children are entitled to equal shares in estates just the same as biological ones, as long as the adpotion was legally registered.

beer_tins

That is true for children, but grandchildren? The grandparent didn't adopt the grandchild so it might be a bit different...

LondonDiva

by your reasoning beinerts.

THe whole point of adopting is becoming a family with all the legal duties, obligations & expectations. Adopted Child = legal child, therefore children of adopted children = grandchildren

littleemmie

You need to know what is written in the will. I inherited from my Grandmother even though she was my stepfather's mother. She wrote a codicil naming me as an extra grandchild. Also, if your dh's nan passed away in Feb, the will still may not be sorted out yet especially if probate needed to be granted. My grandmother passed away in November and the executors are still in the early stages of sorting it all out.

HTH.

Wig

This thread gives info on how you can ask for a copy of the will
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1027107

If there was a will then you should find dh is not named in it. If there was no will or dh was not named but it did mention "all my grandchildren" or similar. Then it will depend on whether the adoption was made legal.

If dh was the biological son of his mother but not his 'father' it sounds like ot was a child from a previous relationship, in which case (I think) dh would not be considered a legal grandchild - unless there were formal legal papers drawn up (adoption).

pukkamum

Thank you dh was adopted by his stepdad so hopefully he should come under the heading of grandchild in the will.