Estranged Family Member Intestate - Whats it got to do with me?

htrj

A few years ago my Uncle passed away, apparently intestate, and with no spouse or offspring.

I have very little to do with that side of the family and haven't spoken to any of them for years. I haven't tried to contact them and none of them have tried to contact me. However, a few days ago I got a message from a cousin, who happens to be the deceased's executor, asking if they could share my contact details with another Uncle, the brother of the deceased.

Now, I smell a rat. This particular Uncle already has my contact details. They haven't changed in years, and he has used them to contact me a handful of times over the last decade or so. Albeit, only when he, or the family, needed something from me. Also, as an aside to the conversation, the executor made me an offer of an object from the deceased's estate.

There's a good reason why I keep this family at arms length so who do I approach to get more information on what is going here, and how much of it involves me?

Gingernutty

Where are you.

The laws on intestacy change according to wfere you are in the country.

htrj

The estate and I are in England.

Do you need me to be more specific?

Yorkshireman99

htrj wrote: »

The estate and I are in England.

Do you need me to be more specific?

This tells you who inherits.

https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

Have you checked to see if someone applied for letters of administration? As you mention the executor I assume he has done.If so when and why has it taken so long to get to this point? I woiuld ask the executor for more information about why the contatc details are needed and what the object is.

PasturesNew

If it's an uncle, intestate, then his full-blood brothers and sisters will share equally what he's got. If they're dead and have full blood children, they get the share that would have gone to those. So you'll get what your parent that was his blood relative would get.

Maybe the one asking for your address doesn't know the other one has it, or is unsure. When people do this stuff they're often not thinking entirely straight, but are "doing what has to be done" on auto-pilot.

htrj

Am I entitled to any information regarding this settlement?

Who would I approach and what would I ask for?

Yorkshireman99

htrj wrote: »

Am I entitled to any information regarding this settlement?

Who would I approach and what would I ask for?

If, as seems likely, someone has applied for letters of administration then you can look up the details and obtain a copy.

https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

It costs £10 and you can print it off.

thorsoak

If one of your parents was a sibling of the deceased uncle, and has also died, then you are entitled to the share that your parent would have inherited. If you have siblings, then your parent's share should be divided equally between you.

htrj

As far as I am aware all the siblings are still alive.

Mojisola

htrj wrote: »

However, a few days ago I got a message from a cousin, who happens to be the deceased's executor, asking if they could share my contact details with another Uncle, the brother of the deceased.

htrj wrote: »

Am I entitled to any information regarding this settlement?

Who would I approach and what would I ask for?

The executor would be a good start. He/she doesn't have to give you any information about the estate but most will do so.

Brighty

htrj wrote: »

As far as I am aware all the siblings are still alive.

Including your parent? If so then you're not entitled to anything, your parent is. If deceased, then you and any of your siblings share your parents portion.