Promised money from estate but not received

qetu1357

Relative was promised 12 1/2% of an estate from the beneficary of an estate.

Promise was evidenced in two letters from the beneficaries solictor but has not been received more than a year on.

What does anyone suggest the relative does?

MrsTinks

Promised by someone who inherited? Or should the relative have inherited? 2 very different things... HOWEVER - it can actually take a lot more than a year to settle an estate if it's large or complex...

SailorSam

As MrsT says it can take ages, is there a house or something that is still on the market ?
Perhaps you should have a chat to the other benificiaries, just to make sure that it's not just you that's waiting.

WestonDave

Obvious answer is to contact the solicitor who wrote the letters and politely enquire as to progress. There may be a client confidentiality issue which prevents them giving out information but most will be able to give a general update.

qetu1357

qetu1357 wrote: »

Relative was promised 12 1/2% of an estate from the beneficary of an estate.

Promise was evidenced in two letters from the beneficaries solictor but has not been received more than a year on.

What does anyone suggest the relative does?

Thanks all.

The estate has been settled.

According to the solictor, the benficary asked for all money to be sent to him and he would distribute the share to my relative.

The solcitor also informed my relative that the estate was settled over 6 months yet she has not rececived any contact or any money from the benificary.

Pee

a) speak to the beneficiary nicely

and if that doesn't work

b) ask another solicitor about the validity of the two letters and what the legal position is - very dependant on what the letters actually say.

Errata

Only beneficiaries benefit from a will. Sounds like the beneficiary referred to 'promised' something, and clearly can 'unpromise' something. should they wish to.

qetu1357

Pee wrote: »

a) speak to the beneficiary nicely

and if that doesn't work

b) ask another solicitor about the validity of the two letters and what the legal position is - very dependant on what the letters actually say.

Thanks.

Relative has written to the benificary as of yesterday and I have now advised her to consult another solicitor if he doesn't respond.

If I remember the letters rightly they say something along the lines of "Mr xxx has agreed to give you 12.5% of the estate".

I think she has strong legal grounds, but we will see if the benificary responds and if not see what a solcitor advises.

hartcjhart

sadly in life sometimes greed takes over and promises get broken,I wouldnt hold my breath on this one Im afraid

qetu1357

hartcjhart wrote: »

sadly in life sometimes greed takes over and promises get broken,I wouldnt hold my breath on this one Im afraid

Well, beneficary has sent a cheque for £2,500.

As estate is around £250k this isn't one eighth, so relative is seeing her solictor tomorrow.

RAS

Think you need to get a copy of the will to see whether there is anything in there.