problems following death of husband

Kazz123

A friend of mine lost her husband at the end of last year. It was very sudden, he was only in his 50's. He left no will, no insurances, the mortage didn't have death cover as he'd been poorly when they moved. The only thing she recieved after his death were his pensions. one lump sum, the others paid monthly. Her husband's only son said he expected half the lump sum and that his father had promised him this. There was eneough to only pay part of the mortgage as there were a lot of debts that she hadn't know about. The pensions were all widow and spouse pensions. Does he have a right to any of this money. She has nothing left apart from what she receives monthly. it is making her ill and is thinking of seeing a solicitor.

building_with_lego

I believe that in the absence of a will everything goes to the spouse.

I would suggest she sees that solicitor though- it rarely hurts to have professional advice!

tori.k

As he died intestate she inherits the first £250,000 of the estate and all the personal property and belongings, anything over this sum she can enjoy the life interests of, so it will have to be invested and she takes the benefits of the invested sum then it would pass to the son on her death.

Tell her not to worry

Kazz123

thank you both. I think a few people have told her similar things. She is a lovely person and feels bad that she can't do anything to help but she knew she needed to sort the debts out and pay what she could off the mortgage. I think she just needs to hear it from somebody other than family and friends. x x

tori.k

Sadly death brings out the worse in people... thats why god gave us friends to make up for family the best to you both

Wilma33

As a compromise, could your friend agree to leave the son something in *her* will e.g. the value of half the lump sum that his dad left?

londonsurrey

Tell her to tell the son to behave himself, as she has yet to write her will.

Kazz123

she has told him that he is in her will and a beneficiary (spellin?) of her life insurance too but, because her husband was older, there aren't that many years between them and says he is likely to die first and so being her will means nothing to him

londonsurrey

Kazz123 wrote: »

she has told him that he is in her will and a beneficiary (spellin?) of her life insurance too but, because her husband was older, there aren't that many years between them and says he is likely to die first and so being her will means nothing to him

How about she tell him that she's sorry that it means nothing to him, so she's rewriting it to leave it all to an internet charity group that creates pictures of pretty cakes and sandwiches to gaze at in chat rooms. Or to an animal charity.

Both these groups will be happier with the bequest than the son, and there's no point in putting him in the will if it makes him unhappy.

londonsurrey

And P.S. as he's going to die first, could he please ensure that she's in his will? If she's going to live longer, she's going to need that money, unlike him.

Kazz123

Londonsurrey that made me laugh. I'll be sure to pass it on ha ha.