A Right to be Angry?

Mr_Costcutter

I've been dealing with the Estate of a very old friend. Probate has now been granted and the family are extremely angry. To put it bluntly, they feel that they should have received more.

The Estate was valued at approx 2 million, but the family will receive only £325,000 (to avoid inheritance tax). The remaining sum is to be divided between 12 charities.

My friend was a widower and didn't have any children. The money stated was left to various nephews and nieces.

There isn't a day that goes by when one family member or another are complaining about what has happened. To be honest, my patience is starting to wane and I'm finding it difficult to deal with their complaints. So, what do you think - have the family 'a right to be angry'?

Gingernutty

This would be better off in the Death, Wills and Probate section.

Inheritance Tax is payable on the entire estate so the amount anyone receives is after tax.

heuchera

I can see why they'd be a bit nonplussed, but it's your friend's decision. No-one has a right to inherit someone else's money.

Mojisola

Mr_Costcutter wrote: »

My friend was a widower and didn't have any children. The money stated was left to various nephews and nieces.

So, what do you think - have the family 'a right to be angry'?

No right at all, in my view. He didn't need to leave them anything!

PasturesNew

They have a right to be angry, but that should be at him, not you.

Have they seen a copy of the will and the sums?

Maybe they think you're holding back information, or somebody's secretly got most of it.

They'll hate it went to charity .... but they'd hate it MORE if they thought that one of them were staying quiet about the secret £1million they were additionally left in the Will.

ManofLeisure_2

I'm glad it's not me dealing with this family - I would give them a few choice words . They should thank their lucky stars that the entire amount wasn't left to charity.

Mr_Costcutter

PasturesNew wrote: »

They have a right to be angry, but that should be at him, not you.

Have they seen a copy of the will and the sums?

Maybe they think you're holding back information, or somebody's secretly got most of it.

.

They have a copy of the Will and a list of all the charities and what each will receive. So, everything is very clear to them

lincroft1710

Mr_Costcutter wrote: »

They have a copy of the Will and a list of all the charities and what each will receive. So, everything is very clear to them

Fine, then you have your stock answer -

"You have seen the will, those were your relative's wishes. I am carrying them out as executor in accordance with the law"

AnnieO1234

To be honest, I would tell them exactly how you feel but then I do find I speak from the hip sometimes. At the end of the day they should count themselves lucky they were included in the will and have received, what would for many be, a life changing sum of money. They obviously were expecting to be made millionaires by the will.

Chin up, and remember you're doing right by your old friend. xxx

duchy

Sounds like your old friend had the measure of his family -which is why you and not they were his executor.

paddy's_mum

Just tell them to take it up directly with Uncle....

(with thanks to Pollycat for the original comment in a recent, similar thread)