Question about mum's estate

Minniemoo_3

Sorry if this isn't the right place for this thread but I'm not sure where else to put it

My mum passed away recently and she has left money to my dad, my sister and myself.

However the solicitors say they will not release this money until my mum's credit card bills and any other outstanding money that she owes has been paid and that it will be paid out of her estate. They informed my dad that once he has all her outstanding bills he is to pass them to the solicitors and they will pay them out of my mum's money and then distribute the remaining money to the family.

I find this a little odd; my dad offered to pay my mum's bills himself and they refused his offer. Is this standard practice or are they just trying to hang on to my mum's money for as long as they can?!

dogbot

The tax forum might be better for this since the regulars there do a lot of inherritance tax issues but...


I think this is normal. You dad doesn't owe the money, your mother does. The creditors have a right of recovery against your mother, or in this case her estate, and no one else. They have the first rights to the money (after the tax man that is).

lisyloo

Sounds right to me.
Any debts have to be paid by your mothers estate before any beneficiaries can be paid.

The quicker you comply the quicker you'll get your money.

CLAPTON

If the solicitors' are acting as Executors, then it is their legal duty to ensure all your mother's debt are paid.