Please help, executors & step parents

Moogles44

If you don’t think that the executor is doing the job properly I’m sure you can get them taken off or get the solicitor to take over , I’m positive there is something like this as it happened to a cousin who’s sibling was deliberately withholding what was in the will and even trying to distribute it all correctly. She got threatened with this and suddenly everything got sorted super quickly! Although wills do seem to take months to a year so far from what I’ve observed if Big things are in the will like houses etc.

I have same problem, my step mum is spending a lot from estate and destroying important sentimental things to me, like my parents wedding photos, burnt them! Anyway, you do have to try and detach from it a bit as it can really affect you and then they win and don’t let them.

I got a solicitor that was highly recommended and they actually gave her a monthly allowance from estate as I contested the will so they can’t let her have the lot until it’s sorted. Also it was asked that she doesn’t get rid of anything else but I suspect she still is as she’s horrible.

I rung the solicitor that I knew my dad used to ask what the will said and he told me and I asked for a copy which they sent me. If you are in the will you should be able to do this I am sure. You can also get people to search for wills . I would check if I were you .

Also if you are with Barclays Bank I think you can get free legal advice and ring around solicitors, they often give initial advice free.

Ziggazee

Maybe there was a will....and he left everything to his wife. If the assets aren't worth much then she wouldn't need to apply for Probate.


Maybe there wasn't a will....and they owned everything jointly. In which case she wouldn't need to apply for Probate anyway.




I honestly don't understand why you feel you ought to know everything Are you concerned you've not been left any of his spoils?

Moogles44

Ziggazee wrote: »

Maybe there was a will....and he left everything to his wife. If the assets aren't worth much then she wouldn't need to apply for Probate.


Maybe there wasn't a will....and they owned everything jointly. In which case she wouldn't need to apply for Probate anyway.




I honestly don't understand why you feel you ought to know everything Are you concerned you've not been left any of his spoils?

She sounds like she thinks she may be mentioned in the will but step mum isn’t telling her and spending it so his wishes may not be honoured because nothing is left . I’m sure it’s not “illegal to see a will”? That would sound alarm bells for me .

goingcrazy101

Thanks Moogles, that is exactly what I think and sounds like you have similar experiences. I hate to think what she is doing with all the family heirlooms because Dad never cleared out the house when Grandad died and now she is living there and selling it, which I know she has started doing but unsure to what extent. Unfortunately I am not with Barclays but sounds like it would be worth switching for.

Ziggazee, I know that there is enough to apply for probate as there are 5 properties with another sold in the past year, his previous will (prior to marrying her) was made to help us, his children, and give us somewhere to live, especially as now she has made it clear we are not welcome in his house anymore I thought that might be useful and why I would like to see it before accepting her word.

Why would it be so wrong to know what is going on, to know that she is following his wishes? Of course I would be upset if there wasn't anything but would accept it but what I will not accept is her ignoring what he wanted after bringing nothing to the relationship, trying to ostracise us from the beginning- which he did not allow but still did not stop her trying, expecting him to house her whole family and then shoving us out the second he has gone hoping that we will lye down like puppies and accept everything she says as truth despite the fact she has a history of lying whilst she buys brand new cars and sells my families belongings.

Voyager2002

Basically, you need a solicitor. Arrange to pay legal fees only once probate has been obtained. Given that there were five properties, the cost of not using a solicitor is likely to be far higher than any legal fees you might have to pay.

paddy's_mum

Your malice is showing!

Whatever a previous will may have said, whatever your father previously said, she is a lawfully wedded wife and now his widow.

Whether or not your beliefs about her character, morals and conduct are accurate, you might be well advised to remember the old saying that honey catches more flies than vinegar.

Jenniefour

I don't think this is malice at all. There's one thing for certain on this board there is a lot of messing about with wills when somebody doesn't like the contents. If only people would stop and think about the possible implications after they've gone in situations where some family members don't get on, and at least give a copy of the will to a trusted person not involved.

OP, you might need a solicitor on this, if polite letter doesn't work.

Voyager2002

goingcrazy101 wrote: »

Ziggazee, I know that there is enough to apply for probate as there are 5 properties with another sold in the past year, his previous will (prior to marrying her) was made to help us, his children, ...

OK, so you know that there was a will. Unless there is a new will revoking the old one then the old one stands. So in law you have a right EITHER to whatever was left you in the old will OR to see that the old will was revoked and therefore to see the new will.

All this could be done easily by a solicitor: you just have to bite the bullet and pay the 30 pounds or whatever to seek proper help.

chesky

Doesn't a will become invalid when you marry?

Yorkshireman99

Yes. Unless it states that it is made in contemplation of marriage to X and that marriage subsequently takes place