Need a bit of advice RE: Inheritance

Miss.Sian-Marie

Not sure if this is in the right section or not so apologies about that now.

My Grandad (Dads dad) died in 2000 when I was 10 years old, Mum told me a few years ago that he has left me some money and I just want to know how I get it (I'm not being selfish you will understand further on why I'm asking)

My Mum and Dad got a divorce about 2 years ago now, since then my Dad has wanted nothing to do with me at all and the same goes for my half brother and half sister who he raised as his own. Me and my sister went round my Dads one night to try and talk to him and find out excatly what we had done wrong and why he didn't want to communicate with us, he made it quite clear he didn't see us as his children anymore. My Nanna (Grandad's widow) was at his house at the time and basically told us to :mad: off!!

The problem I am currently facing is that I assume the money my Grandad left has gone to my Nanna and if so I won't see a penny of it as she would do everything in her power so that I don't get any. The thing that upsets me the most is that my Grandad wanted me to have the money which is why he left it to me to use as a deposit for a house or to go to uni or whatever and he'd be turning in his grave if he found out what my Dad had done let alone what my Nanna could do (i.e Not letting me see the money).

It might sound selfish and that I'm more concerned in the money but believe me if any amount of money could bring my Grandad back that's what I would do.

I've been told that I need to see a solicitor and request to see a copy of my Grandads will but if it's a joint will then my Nanna can change it?

Is there anyone who could possibly shed some light on this?

TIA

beenthroughmill

It all depends on whether your Grandad made a will and whether you were mentioned in it. Sadly it seems to be a common thing for someone to say that they "will look after you" when they are gone, but then they never seem to get around to sorting it out officially.

If your Grandad didn't make a will then your Nanna would have got the lot. If he did make one and you were mentioned then it may have stated that you would not be getting your share until you are say 21 for example - possible.

Don't think there is such a thing as a "joint" will. Even married couples have to make their own.

Best thing to do would be contact your local Probate Office, for a small fee you should be able to find out what you need to know!

Errata

There is no such thing as a joint will.
If grandad left a will you can get a copy of it for a small fee. It will contain detail of the executors - the people responsible for ensuring the assets are distibuted according to the instructions in the will. If the will says you were bequeathed something, you then ask the executors what's happened to it.

An easier way of finding out where your money is will be to ask your mum - she seems to know all about it.

Miss.Sian-Marie

I found this link http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-joint-will.htm

Apprarently joint wills do exist but I'm guessing I'd still need to see a Sol. to find out if it is or not?

smartpicture

You can have joint wills, I have a copy of my mum & dads which is joint.

Before you go to the expense of a solicitor, you should contact the Probate Service and ask to see a copy of the will. You will need to know your grandad's details, including date of death. That will tell you whether you were in fact left anything, and whether it's worth seeing a solicitor to pursue it.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/HMCSCourtFinder/GetForm.do?court_forms_id=739

Errata

In the UK 'joint' wills are called mirror wills. Each of the two people makes a will which mirrors (is a copy of) the other except for the names. Two people - two separate wills.

Anyone can buy a copy of any will which has had probate granted if they supply the name, date of death and the fee to the appropriate authority.

sloughflint

Errata wrote: »

In the UK 'joint' wills are called mirror wills.

Apparently not Errata. I was curious reading the link provided as I had never heard of them either.
This caught my eye and made me wonder.....

A joint will prevents the second person from changing his or her mind about how or to whom the assets will pass upon his or her death.

Googling further,I found:

There are a number of different ways that Wills can be drafted. A Joint Will is a single document stating the wishes of two people. They are not common.

Mirror Wills are two Wills made in identical terms although these can be revoked at any time by the Testator.

http://www.willyouever.co.uk/topic.asp?ID=19

Errata

The website is an American one and makes reference to state law.

sloughflint

Errata wrote: »

The website is an American one and makes reference to state law.

I forgot to add the link to my reference which was a uk website:

http://www.willyouever.co.uk/topic.asp?ID=19

They sound pretty rare so I think OP may not have meant Joint Wills.


Miss Sian-Marie, you can obtain copies of Wills for £5.
http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/cms/1226.htm

How long does it take to obtain copies?
The length of time taken to supply copies varies, depending upon where the original documents are kept. In some cases we may be able to give you a copy 'on the spot' but generally we have to order them from the place where the original documents are held.
The Probate Service aims to supply copies within 21 working days of your application.

Errata

Thanks - I only looked at the link in SM's post. I note that joint wills are not common, I would guess they could easily turn into a nightmare. Can't really see the point of them and wonder if they're a hangover from times when property was owned/bequeathed rather differently to today ? Given that the average length of a marriage right now is something in the region of 12 years a joint will also seems pretty pointless.

localhero

A 'joint Will' is regularly confused with mirror Wills where a couple's intentions largely echo each other. They are not necessarily identical, but they usually cater for the estate to pass to each other, then for the estate to pass to children etc on second death. Each party has their own Will which can be revoked at any time provided they have the mental capacity to do so.

There is however a 'mutual Will' which is a contract, which cannot be revoked after the first spouse has died. These types of Wills are indeed very rare, simply because they don't cater for any circumstances where it may be desirable to update the Will. As such they are generally more trouble than they're worth and most decent willwriting professionals won't touch them with a bargepole.

There is such a thing as a Joint Will, which is a single document, but is even rarer than a mutual Will.

Miss.Sian-Marie, the advice you've been given to check out granddad's Will at the Probate Registry is sound. Although you may not have attained the age that granddad stipulated in his Will for you to inherit (if indeed he left you anything), I suspect what has happened here is that nan and granddad have mirror Wills in which he left everything to nan and the gift to you and others are paid out upon the death of the second of them.

This would therefore leave you at the mercy of your nan who could change her Will at any time. Perhaps not what your granddad would have wanted, but your nan I'm afraid is at liberty to do as she pleases.

Checking out what granddad's will says though will give you an indication of what nan's Will might say, so you may have to hope that she doesn't get round to updating her Will.

Best of luck.