Wills Probate and a horrid Aunt!

annie3737_2

Hi All, I hope im posting this in the right place but im looking for some advice, i will try and keep the story short and simple but right now im so angry......

My father died last year at 76, his mother died 2 weeks ago aged 99! my father done all he could for his mum even though he has a sister 14 years younger who only ever did what she had to do, my father was ill for 18 months so she had to do a little more. Before my fathers death he told me where my nans will was and told me to look after it as he knew his sister was money grabbing, she had little time for my mum, had disowned my brother as a family member in his teens as he got into trouble with the law for some minor stuff, my brother and i were adopted and always felt we were second classs, made worse at the funeral yesterday not getting a mention along with all the other grandchildren that did.

Anyway to cut a long story short my nans will stated 50/50 to dad and aunt but in the event of one of them not being about that persons share to be split beween there spouse and children, ie mum me and my brother, nan owned no property and dad said she had about 16k in bank, none of us want anything but..... having told my aunt at the funeral yesterday that i had a will she automatically turns round and says there is a new one and all goes to her, the will i have is 2008 nan suffered minor confusion a few years ago turning into dementia in recent years, we want nothing but feel out of PRINCIPLE we should, my aunt has managed to get nan to do a new one either when her so called loving brother was seriously ill or after he died. If things had been other way round my dad would of happily handed anything over to her spose and children.

Dad would be turning in his grave with what his sister has done and i feel i should do something about it, but what????

Darlyd

You need to see a solicitor.

BugglyB

If you genuinely want nothing I would leave it - its not worth the hassle and heartache.

Pee

Fighting for half of £16k between three of you is going to be pretty much a matter of principle anyway.

The chances are if you speak to a solicitor and they write a letter, a settlement would be reached before anything went to court.

Do you know if the second will was made using a solicitor? If not, my view would be it is open to challenge. If it was, I'd hold out less hope.

JodyBPM

I would want to see the new will to make sure it actually existed!

If it does, I would leave it - it would be very difficult to prove that your nan wrote it under duress or when she was of unsound mind, and frankly would probably cost more to challenge it that you would get from the will.

It is also entirely possible that if your aunt was doing all the caring for your nan in the latter years, and your father had already passed on, that your nan decided of her own free will to leave everything to her last surviving child.

Once I'd seen the new will, I leave it and move on, and remember my nan fondly for all the time and experiences we shared. On the bright side, with your dad and your nan now gone, there will probably be little reason for you to keep any contact with this aunt that you don't like.

NAR

Firstly sorry for your losses.
Horrid? Sounds more like devious if she persuaded your gran to write a new will after your dad died.
But chasing a few £k (less solicitor's costs) may just increase the bitterness in your heart, rather than reach a just solution.
If the new will is a "home-made" will then it may be worth runnng past the eye of a solicitor, but if it has been drawn up by a solicitor then I think you should just wish that she chokes on her ill-gotten gains.

Gigglepig

I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about undue pressure. People can, and do, change their minds and write new wills. Just ask her for a copy.

Tish_P

Grief can make people really nasty and selfish. Like Jody suggests, check the will exists, but it probably won't be worth your while contesting it. Perhaps see it as a hefty (but worthwhile?) fee you've paid for never having to deal with your aunt again.

Not being mentioned at the funeral must have really hurt. I'm so sorry they were so cruel as to do that, and I hope you find some way to remember and pay your respects to your nan that isn't tainted by that kind of rude, dismissive behaviour on the part of other family members.

*Louise*

It might not be worth contesting, but I would definitely be asking to see it and showing a solicitor both copies just to get some advice.

kazwookie

Go and see a solicitor, and get advise.

SailorSam

When you see the new Will, i'd go and have a word with the Witnesses on it, especially if it's a Diy one done at home.