Death of stepmother last year

wildwestwales

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread. My father passed away over seven years ago. In his will he left his estate after various bequests in trust, and the income to be paid to his widow in her lifetime. She has now passed away, and I wondered if anyone knows how long it would take for the executors, who are also the trustees, to contact us (my brothers and sisters) with regard to the estate. We do not know how the "monies" have been invested. The executors/trustees are my stepmother's brother and daughter.

BitterAndTwisted

Contact them and ask how things are progressing

wildwestwales

I have not done so far, as felt time was needed for her to deal with her mother's death. We have never been informed how the trustees have invested. Do not have good relationship with her daughter.

mountainofdebt

Of course I don't know your relationship with stepmum or step-siblings but I'm I the only ones who think if you at least contact step-siblings to see how THEY are, then the discussion may naturally turn to the subject of the estate.

As a matter of interest, why were the step-siblings trustees?

wildwestwales

Father's original will on marriage was for life interest for stepmother, happily married for 24 years. He had poor health in his latter years. New will drawn up 5 months before his death, giving stepmothers daughter a legacy and her to act as executor and trustee along with her uncle. She is an only child aged 60+

Wilma33

When did she die?

I wouldn't ring up her children and ask about your money too soon after her death!

wildwestwales

November 2010

lostinrates

wildwestwales wrote: »

November 2010

Gosh, no time ago at all.

If it were me I'd not raise money but first of all drop the daughter and say you are thinking about her and wishing her well. whether you like her or not she must be feeling sad.

Opening up lines of communication for discussion later too.

wildwestwales

Sad as it was, re. stepmothers passing, her daughter had her belongings dealt with whilst she was in hospital. Her funeral was within 3 days of her passing. This is why I asked how long to expect my father's will, (which had probate granted within 6-7 week), to be finalised. As a trustee I would have thought she would have to notify us. Just to add, I had to get a copy of my fathers will from the Probate Office, we as a family were not shown the original at the time of my father's passing. We did go to see the solicitor of the first will after my father's passing and he informed us that someone had come to him to say there was another will and could they have the first one. He refused. He has since retired so whether that will is still in his possession I don't know. This may not come to anything other than the time taken to wind up the estate, but as I have dealt with my husband's estate (which was straight forward) when he passed away from cancer eighteen months ago, this is why I asked if anyone knows how long we should expect before hearing from the executors/trustees.

P.S. Should this thread be in the Over 50's Money Saving Forum as I have seen a few post on there regarding wills?

wildwestwales

In my last post I mentioned the haste by the daughter in dealing with her mothers arrangements before and after death. I have just checked on the land registry with regard to the legacy (share in property) she received from my father's will. He died Feb 7th and the transfer was done by Feb 19th (same month and year). So if she is quick at dealing with legal and personal things, how come she hasn't been in touch. Should my brothers and sisters and myself be worried?

tasha-debt

Send her a card asking how she is and maybe say in the next few weeks could you talk about the will...