Father died without leaving a will - what do I do?

Mojisola

Matilda68 wrote: »

I have one photocopy of the death certificate, my uncle said there were no originals left.

You will need to get an official certificate.

Matilda68

It wasn't mentioned in the letter, but I'm sure I would have heard by now. I have said that all my uncle's reasonable costs will be reimbursed from the estate, so I suppose that would include funeral costs. I'll mention it.

MEM62

Matilda68 wrote: »

I've just had a long chat with mum. She's helped me compose a letter to my uncle.

He's family. How about having a cup of tea with him? He might be a decent guy that would welcome some contact with his estranged nephew.

Matilda68

He lives at the other end of the country. And I (and my mum, who actually knew him) got the distinct impression from his letter that he wouldn't be open to that. You could feel the chill coming off the page, even though he'd been informed that I was legal next of kin by a solicitor and I hadn't actually asked for anything. Also, sitting down with him would mean talking about my father, and that conversation wouldn't be likely to go well.

leespot

You said that the letter from him was 3 lines long - you can't have gotten much from that?

Matilda68

A friendly letter would have included a 'Dear' and a 'Regards' or similar, not just names. My letter to him is friendly, so we'll see if that helps. Also my mother has spoken to his wife, who called to inform her. That conversation was apparently pretty chilly. She said they 'supposed I ought to know'.

McKneff

Have I missed where it says mum and dad were divorced or never married ?

leespot

Matilda68 wrote: »

A friendly letter would have included a 'Dear' and a 'Regards' or similar, not just names. My letter to him is friendly, so we'll see if that helps. Also my mother has spoken to his wife, who called to inform her. That conversation was apparently pretty chilly. She said they 'supposed I ought to know'.

Situations like this are probably never going to get off to a great start - you say there are 30 years estranged between you and your father, but he seems to have kept in touch with your mother over the years, to the extent that your aunt had your mothers telephone number. That is unusual given the situation. There is obviously a lot gone on in the past, but I do hope you reach an amicable arrangement with your uncle & aunt over how to move forward.

Matilda68

They were divorced when I was a baby.

getmore4less

How sure are there are no other children of your father?