joint savings account - but m.i.l. deceased

greenflamingo_2

Wonder if anyone can help with this one?
My m.i.l and her sister (now in a nursing home) opened a joint savings account with £30K which matured last June. They have been saving up together for at least 8 years in Halifax savings accounts but withdrew the lump sum in 2006 and put it in a 1 year investment account. It was in joint names with the Halifax. Unfortunately my m.i.l. died last March before the account matured. Unfortunately my f.i.l. has gone into a nursing home and cant remember what happened to the money but had the official certificate so I have had to ring the Halifax. They inform me that as the account was opened in joint names the survivor, my husbands aunt has got the lot! Apparently the account was closed in July after it matured and the proceeds went to the survivor. This doesnt seem fair to me as surely my f.i.l. should have been entitled to my m.i.l's half. However, the Halifax say that their terms and conditions state that the survivor with a joint account gets it all. The Halifax suggest taking legal advice but my f.i.l. does not have a lot of money and I dont want to incur costs for him if we havent any chance of getting a share. I am sure my m.i.l. did not intend for her sister to receive her half if she died and the ultimate beneficiary should have been her son, my husband. Unfortunately the sisters fell out before she died and we have no contact with her sister though we know where she is living in the nursing home. Can anyone suggest what course of action we could follow?

opinions4u

You've no claim against the bank.

Whether you have a claim against your relatives is different. But it is a legal matter.

Many solicitors offer a "free consultation" which could give you an indication of whether or not it is worth pursuing.

Ring a couple of local firms to see when/if they can help this way.

fullstop

You can see if any of the firms on this list are near you, you have to email first.

http://www.venables.co.uk/individx.htm