Death Benefit, Am I entitled?

atush

I would appeal.

AS children of the deceased, you both have a claim to his estate. And to the policy if you were not provided for elsewhere.

Did he leave an estate apart from this policy?

Under law, he would be expected to at the very least provide for his disabled child.

xylophone

They've decided to pay the full amount to his business-owning widow.

Presumably because

although estranged, she was still his wife.

You might appeal, at least on behalf of your autistic sibling?

azapater

Hmm, the letter I've received doesn't mention the ability to appeal.

Is appealing this sort of policy a standard practice?

Should I consult a solicitor regarding this?

Thanks!

xylophone

I don't know whether this is a standard practice but there would be no harm in writing to the administrators giving details of your sibling's circumstances and asking for a reconsideration of their decision?

Mojisola

atush wrote: »

AS children of the deceased, you both have a claim to his estate. And to the policy if you were not provided for elsewhere.

If the 'children' were minors or he had been financially supporting them, that would be the case. Otherwise, in England and Wales, children don't have any right to claim on a parent's estate.

atush

I believe there is a presumption of 'reasonable provision', esp as regards the disabled child.

Consult CAB about claiming against the estate for back child support?