Estranged family

mischiefmaker

Looking for some information on behalf of my father. His mum has just passed away and he is he executor of the estate, father died some 5yrs ago. My Nan's will is to split her estate between the great grandchildren, we think there is 20 of them.
My father and his sister are not particularly close to their siblings and it would appear that several of the great grand children are in the care system, either temp or perm, not sure. There is also an estranged first wife (and great granchildren poss) of one of his brothers.
My dad is keen that the money (we are talking hundreds, not thousands) does not end up in the hands of the parents and goes to the children.
I have found junior isa and this seems like a good option as they can't get hold of it until 18 but what about the children in care and the estranged.
Does social services look after it? Does this open a can of worms if they were adopted (a real possibility).
Also estranged family how long o we look for before distributing estate.
Sorry for the ramble

Keep_pedalling

Your poor dad is going to wish she had left it all to the cats home as this is going to be a real pain in the backside to deal with, particularly for such a small estate.

http://www.mlplaw.co.uk/latest-news/beneficiary-estate-missing/

Assuming they are all minors JISAs are a good place to put the money, however they can only be set up through a parent or guardian, so he would need to get their cooperation, although the big headache is going to tracing all these people.

thorsoak

It is my understanding that if children have been adopted "out of the family", then they are no longer part of their birth family for inheritance purposes, unless referred to specifically in the will by the adopted name.

Yorkshireman99

thorsoak wrote: »

It is my understanding that if children have been adopted "out of the family", then they are no longer part of their birth family for inheritance purposes, unless referred to specifically in the will by the adopted name.

You are correct assuming that the adoptions are formal as opposed to the occasional informal "adoption" that is not legally ratified.

Mojisola

mischiefmaker wrote: »

My Nan's will is to split her estate between the great grandchildren, we think there is 20 of them.

My dad is keen that the money (we are talking hundreds, not thousands) does not end up in the hands of the parents and goes to the children.

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Your poor dad is going to wish she had left it all to the cats home as this is going to be a real pain in the backside to deal with, particularly for such a small estate.

Got to agree with this - what a nightmare!

Person_one

Can your dad just refuse to act as executor? All this hassle for the sake of what, £50 each? I wouldn't do it.

dzug1

Problem is - whether your dad takes it on or someone else does - is that the expenses of tracing the beneficiaries could exceed the value of the estate. I would be inclined to do nothing and if someone complains suggest they take it on.

The money will presumably land up in a dormant bank account where ultimately it will benefit the exchequer but still allow someone to lay a claim for it

Keep_pedalling

After funeral costs, what is the total value of the estate?

mischiefmaker

Thank you all for your answers, it works out after costs that each great grandchild will get about £500 each so it's enough to help out with college uni or car etc when the time comes. I agree it is a nightmare in the making.
Through my job I have access to a solicitor so I am going to pick her brains. Thank you for the adopted child comment that makes sense if they are adopted out of the family then they are not a beneficiary.
I think we are hoping that the powers of the internet/facebook might help with finding the estranged family.
Sorting the funeral at the moment and then the fun starts.
Thank you again for all your advice. :T

konark

You may want to plot a family tree so you can find out just how many great grandchildren there are.

Robin9

My MIL had similar ideas when she revised her will when FIL died - I am pleased she didn't.