Step family not sharing finances

mallybee

She allowed him to take over the account by contacting the bank and they gave him control of the account.

When i say 'take over' the insurance policies i mean he was the person who diid the work to cash them in.

TW1234

Well if she contacted the bank and willingly authorised them to transfer the account to her brother she has given away £10000.
It sounds as though the step brother has intermeddled with the estate and become "executor". Who paid the funeral costs (and from what resources)
However I fear that without cooperation, there is going to be little prospect of funds being available to pursue any cost effective enforcement actions.

mallybee

My step mother paid for her funeral out of her own money before the original monies from my father was split. We made sure she did this - not her step family.

My sister transferred control of the account on a trust basis as they requested!!!

And i thought we didn't have much chance of getting anything.

I've made an appointment with a solicitor but i don't think we have much hope.

Thank you to everyone for your help.

TW1234

Suggest that sister obtains the bank papers relating to the transfer and trust arrangement.
Who is in possession of the "will" and can you obtain a copy?

mallybee

My sister has the will. But it wasn't independentley witnessed. Just signed by my sister and step sister.

I'll speak to her regarding the bank papers.

TW1234

Hopefully the solicitor will resolve matters.
Depends on whether the "will" is valid, but I can't see why the two signatures were added except to act as witnesses.
If it is valid, then the named executors should be dealing with the insurances.

mallybee

Thanks again TW1234.

I've just checked the 'will'. It's got my sister and step sisters name on it as executors.

But it is my step brother who has control of the account.

We contacted the step sister a while ago and she said that :

"we would have to contact the step brother as he had the cash card".

So if the will is valid should he be able to do anything with the account?

My advice to anyone is to get a will sorted and make sure its valid.

Linton

As has previously been said it would seem the bank account isnt covered by the will as it was held jointly. Whatever was in the bank account on your mothers death becomes the sister's property. So it's completely irrelevant to you what the step brother does with the money. Were you to get anything it would be out of the kindness of their hearts.

Or have I misunderstood something?

mallybee

Yeah youre right Linton. So were not hopefull of recieving anything because i think we would of had it by now.