What happens next?

Ci_bach

My 85 year old Mother passed away in July 2015. Unfortunately, my two sisters forgot to tell me. Neither did they inform me of the funeral arrangements. In fact, they told no one in the family - grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces or in laws. Shortly before my Mother passed away, I was diagnosed with a life long (and potentially life limiting) condition

Long story short - my sisters will not inform me of the whereabouts of my Mothers ashes. I have written (twice) and phoned them (twice). I will not be contacting them directly them again. I live about 140 miles away from where my Mother resided. My Mother told me several years ago that she wanted her ashes to be interred in my Fathers grave which is local to where I live. (Mother was spirited away after my Father passed away by younger sister - local to where younger sister lives). The younger sister also managed to get Power of Attorney over my Mothers affairs. I know the ashes have not been interred as there is no sign of my Fathers grave being disturbed. I can only hope and pray that my Mother is resting in peace although I know she would be heart broken at this turn of events.

I have not been offered the opportunity to request any keepsakes of my Mothers. I feel like part of my life has been erased. Not only have my sisters robbed the wider family and myself of the opportunity of saying goodbye to my Mother, they also robbed my Mother of the opportunity of saying goodbye to the wider family and myself

I am a beneficiary in my Mothers will. Basically there are bequests to four separate charities and the remainder to be split 2 shares each to the two sisters and myself and two shares to be split 50/50 between two grandchildren (both over the age of 18). There is no house involved.

Recently, I became aware that younger sister has applied for probate. Am I right in thinking that the estate accounts must be approved by the beneficiaries prior to probate being applied for?

I have never been in this situation before an am still trying to get my head around the way my sisters are behaving. Younger sister is very controlling, older is sister easily led.

Something is telling me that people who act like they have usually have something to hide.

Any advice welcome. Thanks for reading

Thanks in advance

Cb

FreeBear

Ci_bach wrote: »

Recently, I became aware that younger sister has applied for probate. Am I right in thinking that the estate accounts must be approved by the beneficiaries prior to probate being applied for?

The executors are not obliged to provide any information to the beneficiaries prior to applying for probate.

sammy1234567

If they didn't already give you a copy of the will, you can get a copy as it's a public document once Probate is granted. There's a small fee I think.
At a later stage, when the estate is finalised and ready for distribution, I believe, you are entitled to see the Executor's accounts, which tells you what assets and liabilities the estate had at the time of death and also the income and expenses during the period of estate administration. Usually beneficiaries have to sign off on the accounts before the distribution of legacies takes place.
It's v sad you can't find out about the ashes.
In theory you can get executors removed, but I think you have to be able to prove that they acted in an untrustworthy manner. I don't really know if you can complain about poor communication, though it seems really unfortunate. Maybe ask the CAB?

Ci_bach

Thank you both Freebear and Sammy 1234567 for your replies.

Yes - it is sad that siblings are behaving in this way.


Cb