Aunt has died in USA

irenem60

Hello everyone. I have just heard from a relation that an aunt of mine has died some time ago in Florida. She (cousin) said she had been searching for me for some 2years!...............:rotfl: In the meantime, she said that she had paid £5000 for funeral expenses, and she wanted this refunded. From an insurance policy made out entirely in my name! I have managed to get that part sorted out, and a small cheque is winging its way towards me. So far so good, the big problem is that, I have searched the public records, and according to the said records, my aunts house has not been sold, and her taxes have been paid every year from the "estate". My cousin is pleading ignorant about everything, from the whereabouts of the original will, and what has happened to the house. I have an appointment with a solicitor this forthcoming week. I suppose what I am asking is............will this be a difficult process? What's the chances of getting more information via my solicitor?
thanks
:eek: Mary

NAR

Is this cousin living in the house?

NickyBat

Why weren't the funeral expenses paid from the estate?, and who contacted your cousin for payment of them?

BitterAndTwisted

Ask to see evidence of how the dead aunt's estate was settled, the contents of her will and where any money paid for her funeral was funded from.

In the meantime I wouldn't hand over a penny

irenem60

Thanks for your help. The story I have been told is that a friend of my aunt contacted the cousin when she died. She "went over to USA" to clear the house!!!! (no evidence of this either) the whole situation stinks! I think she may be renting the house out!
Thanks again!

Johnhowell

It is my understanding that funeral costs come from the deceased estate. Any life assurances on the deceased are generally paid to next of kin or those nominated in the policy. So unless the insurance was specific funeral cost insurance that was paid to you to cover the funeral then you do not need to pay the cousin.

Why did the cousin pay for the funeral? Is the cousin the executor of the Will? You mention they could not find the Will - so why are they involved in the estate? Did they claim to the Probate Office for Letters of Administration to administer the intestate estate? Who will sell the property in the USA?

So many questions!

Good luck.

NickyBat

There are many questions, i'm glad you smell a rat because i think the rest of us do too. Something certainly doesn't add up.

Since there is property involved and also personal effects, why is it just you that seems to have to reimburse this person, and as i said earlier why has she paid.

personally i wouldn't be coughing up a penny.

meritaten

I cannot help thinking that this sounds like a variation of the 'Nigerian Scam'.
It all sounds very dodgy to me.

pearl123

meritaten wrote: »

I cannot help thinking that this sounds like a variation of the 'Nigerian Scam'.
It all sounds very dodgy to me.

Definatley, proceed with extreem caution. It does sound like a scam.

Savvy_Sue

Bear in mind that what the law says about wills and inheritance in the UK probably isn't the same as in the USA ...

DVardysShadow

irenem60 wrote: »

Hello everyone. I have just heard from a relation that an aunt of mine has died some time ago in Florida. She (cousin) said she had been searching for me for some 2years!...............:rotfl: In the meantime, she said that she had paid £5000 for funeral expenses, and she wanted this refunded. From an insurance policy made out entirely in my name! I have managed to get that part sorted out, and a small cheque is winging its way towards me. So far so good, the big problem is that, I have searched the public records, and according to the said records, my aunts house has not been sold, and her taxes have been paid every year from the "estate". My cousin is pleading ignorant about everything, from the whereabouts of the original will, and what has happened to the house. I have an appointment with a solicitor this forthcoming week. I suppose what I am asking is............will this be a difficult process? What's the chances of getting more information via my solicitor?
thanks
:eek: Mary

Duff cheque. You pay it in and are asked to reimburse. Cheque initially clears but is then reversed. You are out of pocket.