On benefits and big inheritance - advice agencies?

paddedjohn

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.

but it will cost the op, she and her sister are the beneficaries of the estate so any costs will come off their shares.

Kimitatsu

Mojisola wrote: »

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.

Have to agree with this - when MIL passed away the solicitors were telling us it could be up to £5k to sort out the estate and do the probate. It took me half an hour on the phone to the probabte office going through the form, a few phone calls and some stamps in the end.

Ames I think pretty much all of the govt offices now take debit cards because they have to be open to all. If you want specific probate advice then the silver surfers board are really really helpful and can help out over there.

Natty68

Ames, I know when I had to deal with my mothers funeral 4 years ago we didn't pay the undertakers until after the house had been sold, as the funeral costs came out of the proceeds of the house. Ok it took a while before they got their money but they were very patient and knew that we would be paying them out of the proceeds.

Maybe this is something you could look into, that way you wouldn't have to worry about finding the money until after the sale.

bigjl

What about using some of the money to set up some kind of small business?

A once in a lifetime chance, you could make something you enjoy into a new start?

For example if you like driving you could start a courier business or become a private hire driver, it you like photography you could start up doing weddings etc.

I do know that having something to focus on can benefit those with MH problems, especially since the CFS team are reluctant to take on your case, maybe they are right and the Fatigue is caused by you not having something to focus on.

You could always try doing some College or Uni courses, then you could see if the fact you have a focus that gets you out and about hepls with your other problems.

Ames

bigjl wrote: »

What about using some of the money to set up some kind of small business? I was on the verge of doing that last year when I was manic, my doctors say there's no way I can run a business or even work full time.

A once in a lifetime chance, you could make something you enjoy into a new start?

For example if you like driving you could start a courier business or become a private hire driver, it you like photography you could start up doing weddings etc.

I do know that having something to focus on can benefit those with MH problems, especially since the CFS team are reluctant to take on your case, maybe they are right and the Fatigue is caused by you not having something to focus on. They diagnosed me with a MI different to the one my psychiatrist gave me, and the psychologist diagnosed me with CFS. They were both just trying to foist me onto another service. The CFS symptoms can easily be explained by the combination of my MI and primary immunodeficiency disorder, I only went to the CFS clinic because it was a hoop I had to jump through for ss who then refused to help me anyway.

You could always try doing some College or Uni courses, then you could see if the fact you have a focus that gets you out and about hepls with your other problems. I'm doing a full time OU course (ie two of their part time courses in the same year) plus short courses plus volunteer work. I don't think having a focus is a problem!

I was actually thinking about the business thing last night, that if it comes to it I'll take the risk, even if there's only a 1% chance I can make it work, it's the only opportunity I'll have to try it. But I'd rather use the money for a house so that I can carry on with the plans I've got for a gradual improvement and building up skills through my degree, an MA I want to do after that, and my voluntary work, so I can follow a career path related to all that.

abby1234519

I guess it depends which area of Leeds you want to live in. I live in Hyde Park (moving to Burley) but thats students ville so the prices don't reflect the quality/lack of. But if you go out further to places like Armley there are some really nice renovated flats that go for not much. Its feasibly to buy somewhere for you for under 60k for definite

Ames

I've just called the benefits enquiry line, who told me to call my local income support place. They said I can't use the money to buy a house it would be deprivation of capital as I'm on income support. She said I'd have to write in as only a DM can decide, but that it's not usually allowed.

I'm gutted. Mum really wanted me to have a house so that I could work part time when I was able to and still be secure.

I'm also stuck in a flat which doesn't meet my needs and have no chance of moving.

This inheritance is really going to ruin my life. My mental health just isn't up to handling that much cash, as I've explained before.

I know that'll !!!! people off, they'll think I'm a scrounger etc, but right now I don't really care.

Mojisola

Ames wrote: »

I've just called the benefits enquiry line, who told me to call my local income support place. They said I can't use the money to buy a house it would be deprivation of capital as I'm on income support. She said I'd have to write in as only a DM can decide, but that it's not usually allowed.

Don't despair yet. Write in, giving your reasons for wanting to spend the money on a house and briefly describing your health issues. It's the kind of case where some leeway can be given.

The advisor on the enquiry line will have given you the broad brush answer.

Ames

Ok, it's starting to sink in, I've been in touch with DIAL for advice.

A huge problem is that my sister wants to sell to dad, and he's already started paying for work on the house. I'm terrified of being accused of fraud because keeping it in the family could be seen as dodgy. But I'm also terrified of trying to argue with my sister about it all, she doesn't get the benefits system at all. I don't think I'm strong enough to stand up to them. Is there anywhere I can get an advocate to deal with them on my behalf so that I'm not pushed into decisions that will get me in trouble?

Ames

Cross posted. Thanks for that. I'll see if DIAL can write for me, I'm just not up to it right now.