Bereavement of sole parent - U18 child

theoretica

Again condolences on your loss.

Once the dust has settled a bit your niece may change her mind about the reality of living alone in a house. But still selling it seem too final for the moment. Is it a house that could be rented out and perhaps she could stay with a friend's family until she finishes school and holidays if she goes to uni?

Voyager2002

For a start, tell the creditors to take a running jump. No living person is liable (although they have a claim against the estate). All you need to tell them is that the person who owes them money is dead, and the executors will deal with the matter in due course.

duchy

I do feel for the daughter - lost her Mum and an uncle with lots of concerns she might cost him money (not saying you are but its easy in these touchy situations to come across that way)

Where is Dad in all this? Even if there is no contact he may legally be her next of kin (and if still married to Mum could even change the inheritance situation) Even if they are divorced or never wed he could claim a role as trustee.

She's seventeen -is she at college, work, school , about to go to uni etc ?
When does she turn eighteen and what were her intentions for the next couple of years before Mum got sick ?

You really need to get a full picture of the finances, what her intentions were/are and after the funeral (not before) sit down with her as a family and discuss the various options.
All you can really do before the funeral is sort out the paperwork and tot up any liabilities to the estate and any assets (like equity in the house, car etc) and check out for any in death benefits her employer may have -and clarify the Dad situation.

She's nearly eighteen and if you want to do anything that goes against her wishes and she chose to challenge it legally it would probably take til past her eighteenth birthday to get resolved legally anyway- by which time it would be moot anyway.

Feelings will be running high- find out what her options realistically are -and sit her down and discuss them after the funeral. Situations like this can rip families apart so take things slowly and carefully. You may be able to get advice from the forces welfare services as thre situation directly impacts on you-which could be useful.

sjet926

Thanks for the advice. Financial worries can add a significant burden, especially when you have already used your life's saving and are now in debt struggling to pay. If was my intention to sit and discuss as you have suggested and find the best way forward. Unfortunately the father disappeared before she was born and hasn't reappeared. Take care.

rosie-lee

Would the daughter be entitled to the bereavement allowance? This might contribute toward the funeral costs which I know can be a heavy burden.

duchy

Most seventeen year year olds don't understand debt- either yours or their Mum's and she may assume the house will be hers...... Was it not a condition of Mum's mortgage that she had life insurance though ?

Take the will and any other paperwork to a solicitor early in the week -it's an essential first step.

Mojisola

sjet926 wrote: »

Unfortunately my sister-in-law has just passed after a very short illness. She has a 17 yr old daughter who wishes to remain in her property (owned). She is currently in Full time education.

Unfortunately the house is the only estate. No life policies, insurance, cash etc. However, there are however, significant debts against the deceased.

It's a very sad situation for her daughter but I can't see how she could stay in the house with the situation as you describe it.

sleepless_saver

Just a couple of thoughts to add to the excellent advice you've had.

The executor might want to contact one of the debt charities like Stepchange for advice. http://www.stepchange.org/Debtinformationandadvice/Lifechanges/Bereavement.aspx
Normally creditors won't write debt off when there is an estate that can pay but it will be worth finding out from Stepchange or National Debtline if there is any chance of them doing that on compassionate grounds in this case.

Any life insurance policies which could go towards paying off debt?

jfdi

17yo daughter can claim Income Support - this needs to be initiated by her local Connexions (or equivalent) service. She needs to get down there ASAP.

Council should give Council Tax support, & there MAY be a Mortgage Interest relief claim possible via Income Support.

This is all as long as no-one claims Child Ben or Child Tax for her.

Assuming she's off to Uni next year, if going local she could let rooms to fellow students & get help covering house expenses that way. Don't think it's really feasible before then.

I know that doesn't solve the Debt issue the Estate has got, but it might buy some time.

If Mum was claiming means-tested Benefits (to support herself & daughter) there may be grants available now as mentioned above.

sjet926

Thanks for that, I must admit I haven't heard of stepchange and will contact them after the funeral. Regards