Recent loss of step father and question about belongings

bravobeastie

Query answered. Thank you to all for their help

bravobeastie

Bump

Anyone? or perhaps there is somewhere else I could try? Have tried google but to no avail

Curious_George_2

cant help you with the legalities of it,
but have you spoken to the sister about it? what were the watches to her? were they expensive ones your stepdad bought and she has snagged before they go missing (for safe keeping or "other" reasons?) or did they belong to their parents? family heirlooms perhaps?
maybe he always told her these items were to be passed to her should he pass on?
or maybe shes a money grubbing thief who would sell her own mother down the river for a few shiny objects? (like my aunt did)

if these watches are included in the will and they are not officially given to the sister i suppose it could always be pointed out that she helpfully picked these up for safe keeping while you were all in turmoil and could she now hand them over to great auntie mable or whoever,

choille

Hi There - a will can be read before a person is buried, at any time after a person has died.
Some people do pile in and grab what they think they are entitled to sometimes.
These may have been family items that she believed belonged with the 'blood family'. But really you should get a copy of the will & see what it says - see who is the executor of the will & then go from there.

Sorry for your loss & having this happen at such an upsetting time.

RAS

Hi

It is likely that this is covered by Irish law rather than UK law, so you need to start asking questions about inheritance there.

Until you know what is in the will (do they read will over there still), it is impossible to tell whether anything wrong has happened.

mrcow

No she shouldn't have done this. Who has a copy of the will? You need to read it and find out what's in it and who the executor is. It's then their problem.

bryanb

Sounds as though she could be next of kin. Who is executor of his will?

bravobeastie

Hi, thanks for replying

Unfortunately SHE is the executer, we have no idea how to get a copy of the will but will perhaps know more when we are there next week.

bryanb

As executor she is obliged to carry out the wishes expressed in the will. You can get a copy from the Probate registry when Probate has been granted ( UK ) Unfortunately she probably has the right to remove items, especially for security reasons. Also she is not required to consult ( UK )

paddy's_mum

Her attitude and conduct may well be highly insensitive, bullying and certain to put people's backs up. However, as I read it, you are not related to the person you describe as stepfather by either marriage or blood. In those circumstances, unless you are a beneficiary or some of your mother's valuable items are in the house, why is it actually any business of yours?

Is your Mother still alive and perhaps dependent upon the deceased? Off the top of my head, I can't see any other reason but financial involvement of some sort to explain why you are feeling so aggrieved that she has failed to consult you.

I mean no criticism - I'm genuinely puzzled.

belfastgirl23

I guess from the other side, this woman's father has just died and she is probably grieving. TBH I wouldn't want to be the one going in asking questions unless the items taken were originally your mother's or were of some great sentimental value to her. Or unless they're worth an absolute fortune.

I really think in situations like this forbearance should be advised.

** oops sorry edit I meant brother!**