On benefits and big inheritance - advice agencies?

Ames

No, I wouldn't. If I bought my own home then I'd be saving the taxpayer money. Also, having my own home would make it a lot easier to move into employment if I'm able to at some point in the future because I would be able to work part time low paid and not have to worry about housing costs.

The 'problems' I wanted to avoid were related to my health. As I've explained previously on this thread, I have bipolar and this would affect my judgement. I'd love to have 60k in the bank to live off for a few years and not be attacked for being a 'benefit scrounger'. But it would go one of two ways. I'd either blow it all in as short a space as possible due to being manic, which would screw up my life forever as it would stop access to benefits (rightly so) and leave me unable to survive. Or, I'd get paranoid over every penny I spent, worrying that buying own brand instead of value would count as deprivation. Again, this would affect my health, either directly because I'd be denying myself things like a proper diet, or indirectly because I would end up scared to leave the house etc.

As for leaving it all to my sister, it's a proposition that makes perfect sense. She works and lives in London so she needs more than me, and is at a point in her life where it would make a huge difference to her. The idea was that when dad dies he'd make it up and I'd get the amount back then. And could then stop living off benefits as above.

What's so bad about mum wanting to put the money in trust for me? She wanted to know I'd be safe and looked after and secure. Surely most parents would see that as a priority rather than saving the taxpayer some money?

calleyw

Ames wrote: »

If the six months thing can't be applied then that causes even more problems, because as every week went by I'd have less to put towards a property,

I was under the impression that the 6 month thing was when you sold your own home and then could ring fence the money to buy another house. But how it works when you inhert a house I don't know. Is the house ever put in your name, before you sell it.

If you are able to ring the DWP and ask a question without giving name etc do. If you can't face it then do get your sister to do it for you.

Your mother probably left the house to you as she was worried about your future. It did not occur to her about the loss of your benefits.

All the best no matter what happens. And try not to worry too much. Easy said than done I know.

Yours

Calley

Ames

They're both in the middle of Bradford. This is the search I've been basing things on:

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E787&insId=2&maxPrice=60000&minBedrooms=2

willing2learn_3

Ames wrote: »

Thanks Lin, I've got to spend this weekend catching up with paperwork, then I'll have a better idea of where I'm at with everything and I'll try and phone them on Monday.

Ames

My dad died unexpectedly nearly 2 years ago now. For quite some time i would go into panics with all the paperwork that I was required to do....it comes in waves....when it comes know that it will pass before the next one. Overwhelm was one of the hardest things for me to deal with because i'd feel strong enough to handle everything one minute and then the next i'd be freaking out by how much i had to do. So just remember this when you are feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath and give yourself the evening off with a movie or something and you will be fitter to deal with everything the next day.

and no matter what anyone says to you, one way or another everything will find it's level again...eventually.

Ames

Thanks, W2L, that's what I've been doing.

I've just spoken to dad, I have to go over this week to collect the paperwork from the last few weeks, pick up the ashes and things. He said he'll help me with phonecalls on Tuesday afternoon, which is really good. I'll see if he can phone to find out what I should do about letting them know about my situation.

I'm really shocked to be honest, he's never believed in my mental illness before, never understood why I have problems doing things, or even that I do have problems with it. He's been really supportive lately though, so some good has come out of it all.

Kimitatsu

Ames

So sorry to hear of your loss - its never easy.

I cant advise on the deprivation of capital rules, you need to get clarification from the DWP in writing as dmg24 has said.

However I do have first hand knowledge of probate, can I suggest you ring your local probate office - yours is:
Leeds: 3rd Floor, Coronet House, Queen Street, Leeds LS1 2BA
Tel 0113 386 3540

You can make an appointment to see them and given your disability they will help you fill out the forms. Mine were great telling me exactly what I needed to put on the forms and saved me a fortune. They are really really helpful and know what needs to go where!

The other person who may be able to give you a definitive answer is your local welfare rights adviser at the CAB or legal centre. They will represent you too to ensure that they get a definite answer and can appeal the decision if its wrong.

Try to take care of yourself its such a hard time x

Ames

tartane wrote: »

No one need get involved with Probate or sorting out a deceased estate. Solicitors are quite good at doing this work for you. It won't cost you a penny as any fees that they charge are deducted from the estate.

Not an option as my sister would refuse to pay the fees or have them taken out of the estate. Mum was due to make a will the day after she died and there were real objections to her putting a solicitor as executor. I can deal with the forms, it's getting all the info from different places that I'm struggling with, I have real troubles using the phone, and haven't managed to get inside a post office for weeks. In fact not since I sent off the last load of death certificates, it really brought it all home to me that she was gone and I felt awful afterwards.

Hopefully I can get all the paperwork together and letters written tomorrow so that dad can post them/make the phonecalls for me on Tuesday afternoon.

Ames

Thanks for the info Kimitatsu, I'll make an appointment with them when it gets to the point of needing to finish things off.

Stupid question - will I be able to go in and pay the probate costs in cash/by card? I don't have a chequebook so I've been wondering how I'll pay for it!

Mojisola

tartane wrote: »

No one need get involved with Probate or sorting out a deceased estate. Solicitors are quite good at doing this work for you. It won't cost you a penny as any fees that they charge are deducted from the estate.

Solicitors can charge enormous fees for dealing with probate! Unless you have a complicated estate to sort out, you don't need to pay out to them. Even if you have, you can employ a solicitor to do certain bits and do the straightforward things yourself.

The Probate Office people are very helpful and are used to helping people who are doing this for the first time.

Ames

Thanks Mojisola. A family friend lost her husband last year and she's offered to help with the forms if I need it, she showed me his and it all looks straightforward, it's just dealing with all the different companies. Like the credit card debt of £250 which are squealing for their money, the mortgage company who took weeks to return the death cert I'd sent (luckily we got four official copies so it didn't slow us down too much) and still haven't been in touch about a payment agreement just said 'pay or we'll repo'. As a DFW veteran I know how empty all the threats are and stuff, it's just annoying having to deal with them when if they left me alone I'd have enough time to get on with it all and they'd get their money sooner!

Anyway, dad said he'll help with the phonecalls when I visit him next week, so I'll work out a list of them in priority. Chasing up the benefits agency and IR so that we know what she owes, if anything - it's more likely that they owe her/us.

And I'm going to get him to help me phone the BEL so I can get some rough ideas, and an address to write to for info.

Thanks again (nearly) everyone for being so helpful x