Beneficiary to a will

CrazyAngel_3

Hi All

About 18 months ago my Nan died and I was named in the will as a beneficiary. I very briefly saw the will at my Nans house, but have never been sent a copy so I KNOW I was named in it.

I have received my inheritance, but it did not come via a solicitor. It was given to me by my Grandad from his own bank account. I have never received any correspondence from the solicitors regarding the estate or my inheritance.

Because of this, I did not get a copy of the will (I am an adult BTW, not a minor).

I feel that something untoward is going on as 1) I did not received a copy of the will and 2) I do not know if I have received all of my inheritance or part of it. 3) I have never heard from the solicitors regarding the will.

I dont want to ask family direct about this as I know a lot of goings on have been happening regarding money which is not in the will. I have a feeling that something is being hidden from me. What should I do next??

londonsurrey

Although it is the norm to involve solicitors, it's not compulsory. Do you know for a fact that there was a solicitor who was holding/executing the will? If so, do you know which solicitor?

You do have a right to view the will if you were named in it though.

Mojisola

It wouldn't be unusual for your Grandad to be the executor.

If he won't send you a copy of the will you can buy one - https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/copies-of-grants-wills

CrazyAngel_3

Yes, there is 100% solicitors involved, mostly because it is a large estate involving a lot of cash, property and other assets. This is why I am wondering why I have never had correspondence from the solicitors.

I would write to them, but I am concerned that they will tell the executor that I have been asking for a copy of the will.

londonsurrey

If they tell the executor, it should technically put you in a better position, as the executor will now have formal notification that a beneficiary has not had the information they should have had, i.e. the executor can now be in trouble if they don't remedy this, and can't claim ignorance.

Call the CAB.

ognum

If the estate has passed probate then the will will be lodges with the Probate Office and you can request a copy for a small charge.

SmlSave

The solicitor doesnt have to get in contact with you, if your grandad said hed give you the inheritance then the solicitor would have made a note in the file and left him to it. Thats what happens in my office, in the end we charge nearly £20 per letter written so the executor distributing the money himself saves money

TonyMMM

londonsurrey wrote: »

Although it is the norm to involve solicitors, it's not compulsory. Do you know for a fact that there was a solicitor who was holding/executing the will? If so, do you know which solicitor?

You do have a right to view the will if you were named in it though.

As above - no need for any solicitor to have been involved at all. Get yourself a copy of the will from the probate office (costs £6).

thorsoak

Candy53 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've also been trying to find out what rights beneficiaries have, and I keep getting conflicting information.

I am going to be a beneficiary in someone's will. Do I have a right then, as said above, then to buy a copy of the will from the Probate office? I was told on another site that only the executor is allowed to see it.
Also, the member of my family who has made the will told me their solicitor will let me know what they are leaving me, but not so?

2 of us are being left exactly the same amount, but I've now heard that the executor can take a fee. Will that come out of our inheritance? And can they take what they like?

Thanks,
Candy

So you are worrying about a legacy from someone who isn't yet dead? What does your signature say about "never worry worry until worry worries you"? The person who has named you in his/her will could change his/her mind - and leave it all to the Cats' Home!

Mojisola

Candy53 wrote: »

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I've also been trying to find out what rights beneficiaries have, and I keep getting conflicting information.

I am going to be a beneficiary in someone's will. Do I have a right then, as said above, then to buy a copy of the will from the Probate office? I was told on another site that only the executor is allowed to see it.
Also, the member of my family who has made the will told me their solicitor will let me know what they are leaving me, but not so?

2 of us are being left exactly the same amount, but I've now heard that the executor can take a fee. Will that come out of our inheritance? And can they take what they like?

Thanks,
Candy

You don't have any right to see a will before the person has died and the process has started. Even the executors don't have a right to see it before the death although it's a good idea to let your executors know what they're taking on. After that, it becomes a public document and, if the executor won't give you a copy, you can buy one.

If a professional like a solicitor is named as executor, they will charge fees to the estate. Funeral costs, any debts and any taxes due also have to be paid before anyone receives an inheritance. Whether these payments impinge on your inheritance will depend on how much money is left and how the will is worded.

thorsoak

:j:j

Candy53 wrote: »

Not clever is it? I'm not easily intimidated so your effort was wasted, and to be quite honest showed you up for the kind of person you are.

What sort of person I am? I'm not the person worrying about how I can find out how much money I MIGHT get - before the donor is dead - and how much money might be taken from my "entitlement" .........

Frankly, were I in your shoes, I would be ashamed of posting such an avariciously greedy sounding post! And obviously, someone with such a hard neck as you wouldn't be intimidated by anything!!