Police arrived threatening to arrest me for writing to executor!!!

rosy798

My Mother died last March leaving a will making my brother and brother in law executors. We dont speak at all, they are vile, money grabbing people. In the will Mother left a ring to me, one to my sister and some bedroom furniture to my brother. When the home is sold everything to be split between the three of us equally. Straight forward I thought.
I was twice ignored when I wrote asking for a copy of the will so put a caveat on. Then a lawyer sent me a copy, he didnt say if he was working for estate or executor?
In October last year I wrote asking for the ring, again they ignored the letter. I wrote again on 13th April again asking for the ring or I am going to apply to the court, as they are not wanting to carry out my Mothers wishes. When I came back on Friday morning there was a big police van outside my home, and the police looking in my front windows like I was a wanted criminal. The police threatened to arrest me for harrasment. I questioned if sending a letter is harassment, he said if its unwanted then yes. Police said executor insists I get a solicitor and for them to write asking for the ring. I am not prepared to pay £168 for a lawyer to write asking for a ring which is worth £40. Its sentimental value only, Dad brought it for Mother many years ago.

Marktheshark

Visit the duty inspector at the police station and file a complaint for "crap policing"

kelpie35

And all we hear on tv and radio is how understaffed the police are.

This beggars belief.

G6JNS

rosy798 wrote: »

My Mother died last March leaving a will making my brother and brother in law executors. We dont speak at all, they are vile, money grabbing people. In the will Mother left a ring to me, one to my sister and some bedroom furniture to my brother. When the home is sold everything to be split between the three of us equally. Straight forward I thought.
I was twice ignored when I wrote asking for a copy of the will so put a caveat on. Then a lawyer sent me a copy, he didnt say if he was working for estate or executor?
In October last year I wrote asking for the ring, again they ignored the letter. I wrote again on 13th April again asking for the ring or I am going to apply to the court, as they are not wanting to carry out my Mothers wishes. When I came back on Friday morning there was a big police van outside my home, and the police looking in my front windows like I was a wanted criminal. The police threatened to arrest me for harrasment. I questioned if sending a letter is harassment, he said if its unwanted then yes. Police said executor insists I get a solicitor and for them to write asking for the ring. I am not prepared to pay £168 for a lawyer to write asking for a ring which is worth £40. Its sentimental value only, Dad brought it for Mother many years ago.

What you have done is not harassment. I would lodge a formal complaint with the Police. The demand that you employ a solicitor is outrageous. I would also make a formal complaint to the solcitor's firm.

macman

Have the other proceeds of the estate been distributed yet?

rosy798

The other two have had their bequests and stripped Mums home bare. I have had not even a tea spoon

SevenOfNine

rosy798 wrote: »

In the will Mother left a ring to me, one to my sister and some bedroom furniture to my brother. When the home is sold everything to be split between the three of us equally.
I am not prepared to pay £168 for a lawyer to write asking for a ring which is worth £40. Its sentimental value only, Dad brought it for Mother many years ago.

Either I'm missing something, or surely it's more than worth £168 to make sure you get the ring AND your 1/3rd of the rest of the estate. A letter from your solicitor will ensure they know you mean business.

I totally agree with the others, a formal complaint to the Police is definitely in order.

Newly_retired

Just trying to think positively, if the house is about to go on the market it will need to be stripped bare. Of course it would have been good if the executors had invited you to choose anything you wanted to have first, but hopefully they have sold the contents, and the proceeds will be shared out as part of the estate.
Probably wishful thinking though, and in view of what has happened so far, you may well want to see a solicitor, as well as making a formal complaint about the police.

duchy

Newly_retired wrote: »

Just trying to think positively, if the house is about to go on the market it will need to be stripped bare. Of course it would have been good if the executors had invited you to choose anything you wanted to have first, but hopefully they have sold the contents, and the proceeds will be shared out as part of the estate.
Probably wishful thinking though, and in view of what has happened so far, you may well want to see a solicitor, as well as making a formal complaint about the police.

I think you've misunderstood. The OP was left a specific personal item in the will -so hoping it has been sold to be split three ways isn't what the will states !

rosy798 wrote: »

In the will Mother left a ring to me, one to my sister and some bedroom furniture to my brother. When the home is sold everything to be split between the three of us equally. Straight forward I thought.
I was twice ignored when I wrote asking for a copy of the will so put a caveat on. Then a lawyer sent me a copy, .

rosy798

I thank you all for your replies. I know the best thing is to see a solicitor but £168 is a lot out of money out of a pension so i just cant afford it. I shouldnt need to either the will clearly states what is to happen. The home was stripped bare and all the items were give to their friends or dumped not sold. Photos of my children with their Nan etc. Also there is another bank account and a couple of insurance polices they didnt list for probate.

RAS

rosy798 wrote: »

Also there is another bank account and a couple of insurance polices they didnt list for probate.

Hi it very much depends how these were held or how they paid out.

If the bank account was held jointly with another person, that person becomes the sole holder on the death of the other party.

If the insurance policies paid out to a nominated person, then they may not be part of the estate so are not counted for probate purposes.