Leaving money to grandchildren - but estranged from their parents!

Jeff74

Hi,

Any advice gratefully received.

I am currently helping an elderly relative with a terminal illness to "put his affairs in order". He has 2 grandchildren (aged 9 and 13) and would like to leave them each £10k in his will. However he has no relationship with their parents at all, and hasn't spoken to them in over 10 years.

There's nothing I can do to make him reconcile his differences with them, so I need to see if I can find a way to leave the grandchildren money directly. He is absolutely adamant that this cannot go through their parents, or be held in Trust by them for the children. In his words, he wants to make absolutely sure that the parents "don't get their hands" on the children's inheritance.

I don't know his children or grandchildren at all, all I have is names, addresses and DOB's, and I'm not quite sure what to do!!

dzug1

He just needs to appoint a different trustee or trustees. Just make sure they are willing and - preferably - dont want paying.

westy22

Any competent solicitor can prepare a will to cover this situation. The biggest problem will be that the money would have to be left in trust and he would need to appoint trustees (minimum of 2) to administer the trust until the children reach 18. He could appoint anyone as a trustee but if he doesn't trust the parents then it is probable that he will need to appoint a younger friend and possibly the solicitor drafting the will (but the solicitor will charge for this).

theoretica

If he doesn't trust the parents he will need to make explicit what, if anything, the money can be used for before the children reach 18 (or, I believe, older if he specifies). Driving lessons, violin lessons, buying the violin or car, school trips, the children's portion of family holidays or nothing...

SpendlessKaren

When my children got left money in my Grand Fathers will it was kept with the solicitor in trust until they were 18. It was put into savings and then when they were 18 they were contacted by the solicitor, and the money was released. Maybe something like this could be arranged.
I was on good terms with my Granddad but still had no access to the money left to my kids.