Unresponsive Beneficiary

Margot123

I have previous experience of acting as an executor but this new issue is puzzling me.

I have contacted, and had responses, from two of the 3 beneficiaries. However 1 is not responding at all even though they were quite 'chatty' in the early stages.
Emails have been sent with tracking so that receipt and opening can be established, letters have been sent by recorded delivery etc. Contact details have previously been confirmed by the beneficiary themselves.

The individual is very active on social media so I can't quite figure out what is going on. They obviously aren't dead or seriously ill.

Could it be that an inheritance is frightening them in some way (worried about benefits stopping etc)?
I've searched Google for answers bu it appears it's usually executor who are the unresponsive ones!

What can be next course of action? Invest the money as the will states I can do?

getmore4less

Unless there is a follow on trust it should be distributed.

The will trust only applies for the period of adminitration

Margot123

getmore4less wrote: »

Unless there is a follow on trust it should be distributed.

The will trust only applies for the period of adminitration

But how can you distribute to someone who isn't responding? Even the solicitor has confirmed the address etc is correct.
This has been going on for nearly a year now and it would be good to get things tidied up.

martinthebandit

Send them a cheque?


Or go and give it to them?

Margot123

martinthebandit wrote: »

Send them a cheque?


Or go and give it to them?

Solicitor has advised not to send a cheque unless the beneficiary proves their address. Something to do with money laundering regs.

Keep_pedalling

Sounds like for some reason they are trying to delay the payment, so even if you do send them a cheque the money will still sit in the executors account until they cash it. Could they be bankrupt or in a IVA by any chance?

Yorkshireman99

Margot123 wrote: »

I have previous experience of acting as an executor but this new issue is puzzling me.

I have contacted, and had responses, from two of the 3 beneficiaries. However 1 is not responding at all even though they were quite 'chatty' in the early stages.
Emails have been sent with tracking so that receipt and opening can be established, letters have been sent by recorded delivery etc. Contact details have previously been confirmed by the beneficiary themselves.

The individual is very active on social media so I can't quite figure out what is going on. They obviously aren't dead or seriously ill.

Could it be that an inheritance is frightening them in some way (worried about benefits stopping etc)?
I've searched Google for answers bu it appears it's usually executor who are the unresponsive ones!

What can be next course of action? Invest the money as the will states I can do?

How much money are we talking about?

getmore4less

Margot123 wrote: »

Solicitor has advised not to send a cheque unless the beneficiary proves their address. Something to do with money laundering regs.

You said beneficiary have confirmed contact details and solicitor has confirmed address.

Margot123

getmore4less wrote: »

You said beneficiary have confirmed contact details and solicitor has confirmed address.

The solicitor said this was a mailing address but NOT proven as the beneficiary's actual address, could be a friend. He said, that as there is a considerable amount involved, then I must ask for proof to avoid the cash being diverted.
Posting letters and posting money in the form of a cheque is a totally different 'kettle of fish'.

Yorkshireman, the total amount is almost £150k, so not a small amount. Well over benefits threshold.

I have checked the Bankruptcy register and can find no trace under the name stated in the will, however they are known for using aliases, and even other peoples' identities for some purposes. Hence the solicitor telling me to make sure I cover myself.

Jenniefour

Then the solicitor should have also advised you that you need sworn proof of ID - easily done by beneficiary in local solicitors office. Have you asked the beneficiary to do that in writing?

Margot123

Jenniefour wrote: »

Then the solicitor should have also advised you that you need sworn proof of ID - easily done by beneficiary in local solicitors office. Have you asked the beneficiary to do that in writing?

Yes, I have requested that they can either email scanned copies or post me copies certified by a solicitor.