How can i get access to relatives account?

pro-f-sor

Hi, not sure this is the right forum.

My dad passed recently and has no will & testament in the UK. However, there is some money in his current account. Is there any way i can legally get control of the account or at least get access to that money.

Further what the best way to sell his shares or at least have them shared between my brothers?

i know its an awkward question but not sure what rights if any we have to take control of whats left.

thanks

dzug1

pro-f-sor wrote: »

Hi, not sure this is the right forum.

My dad passed recently and has no will & testament in the UK. However, there is some money in his current account. Is there any way i can legally get control of the account or at least get access to that money.

Further what the best way to sell his shares or at least have them shared between my brothers?

i know its an awkward question but not sure what rights if any we have to take control of whats left.

thanks

You will have to go to the Probate Office (possibly with one or more of your brothers) and take out 'Letters of Administration'. These will allow you to approach financial institutions and gain access to his money and other assets. Or you can get a solicitor to do it for you for a suitably large fee.

The laws of intestacy will govern how things must be shared.

You say no will 'in the UK' - does that mean he has one elsewhere? It may (and only may) cover you if it's valid in the UK. You'll still need to go to the Probate Office - but this time for Probate rather than Letters of Administration.

pro-f-sor

Thank you for the reply.

Its rather complicated in that his 'real' assetts are in South Africa and his will in SA relates to that with no mention of his UK funds. However, he is originally from the UK and maintained a UK account for annual holidays. The family (4x brothers) are now scattered around the world with only two of us living in the UK.

This local account is only valued at 3k so there is not much there but this still needs to be dispersed amongst the family - hence the question. A solicitors involment is not worth the huge cost & trouble for such a small amount so this being the reason to enquire whether there was a alternative route I could persue to gain access.

opinions4u

As far as I'm aware, a will is valid in the UK wherever it was written or is currently held.

Many banks will release "small estates" without the need to see anything more than the death certificate though.