Identity protection and beneficiary

BigAnnieG

A while ago I moved away, changed my name, and didn't inform my family of said name change. They don't have a clue where I live now. I'm only in touch with my brother, and that's brief and on 'old terms' as it were.
He's informed me that my grandfather is very ill and won't last much longer. I know for a fact that I'm a beneficiary in his will, though whether that's for a couple of grand or a couple of hundred grand I don't know.
However, I don't want to relinquish my new identity to claim an inheritance.
Is it possible for a solicitor to receive an inheritance on my behalf, then pass to me (minus fees), to protect my identity? As in, act as the middle man and have the inheritance paid to the solicitor's account prior to going to mine?
If there's no way I can protect my new identity, I'll relinquish the inheritance no matter how much it might be. I don't trust my brother to not blab about my whereabouts to people who really, REALLY don't need to know them. I was just wondering if there'd be any way to inherit with my identity intact.
Thanks!

Owain_Moneysaver

Who will be the Executor of the Will?

The Executor must be satisfied of the identity of the beneficiary before releasing funds. If the Executor is a solicitor then he will probably not need to disclose your new name and location to other beneficiaries after having verified your identity (which he must do) and may be able to record your old name in the estate accounts.

If the Executor is anyone else they may be reluctant to rely on a solicitor's statement especially if a couple of hundred grand are involved and will want to verify your identity themselves.

Keep_pedalling

I would wait to find out who the executors are first. If he has appointed a solicitor then your problem is solved. If it’s family members it’s a bit more tricky, as you still need to deal with them even to renounce your inheritance.

You could of cause do this via a solicitor but that would be at your cost.

badmemory

Hopefully the will will need to go to probate, in that case you will be able to see who has been named as executor. Last time I used this it cost £10. Hopefully (in your case anyway) it will be a solicitor, in which case - no problem.

jackyann

Yes, you can use a solicitor, who can see your paperwork in order to confirm your original and new identity and receive payment on your behalf. I have known this done. If you can afford it ( and you can ask for a quote) this is the most straightforward.

Otherwise, how you go about it depends on the reason for protecting your identity. The most likely scenario is domestic abuse, in which case contact Womens Aid who have experience of this (your name makes me think you are female, if not, they will give you advice or pass you on). If you were helped by anyone in a Domestic Abuse forum (or similar) contact them.
A less likely scenario is some sort of witness protection, but cases I have known there is a specific contact, so you would already know what to do.

Hope this helps.

BigAnnieG

Thank you so much!
Turns out I wasn't even overly pre-emptive - he died on Friday.
I'll definitely look into a solicitor to do this. I know that my father is executor, and he's likely to get a solicitor involved because the estate is large (but not massive). If I could get a solicitor involved on my behalf, as I do have evidence of my original name change etc, then I'd be happy to pay the cost of that.
Very reassuring advice from everyone, thank you so much! (And also for not judging me in what's a very complicated situation!)

Keep_pedalling

BigAnnieG wrote: »

Thank you so much!
Turns out I wasn't even overly pre-emptive - he died on Friday.
I'll definitely look into a solicitor to do this. I know that my father is executor, and he's likely to get a solicitor involved because the estate is large (but not massive). If I could get a solicitor involved on my behalf, as I do have evidence of my original name change etc, then I'd be happy to pay the cost of that.
Very reassuring advice from everyone, thank you so much! (And also for not judging me in what's a very complicated situation!)

I would leave things for a few weeks, then instruct a solicitor to write to your father, with instructions that all correspondence with regards to your GF’s estate need to be via the solicitor.

Yorkshireman99

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

I would leave things for a few weeks, then instruct a solicitor to write to your father, with instructions that all correspondence with regards to your GF’s estate need to be via the solicitor.

I agree. However, you need to be aware that there may be a later will and you may not be a benificiary. If you are, the executor(s) are obliged to satisfy themselves of the identity of any one claiming to be a beneficiary. The use of an intermediary like your solicitor should be OK but don't be surprised if it is not straightforward..

jackyann

That's why it might be a good idea to ask Women's Aid for a solicitor recommendation. They will have dealt with this before. They'll be even more delighted if they get a donation in return for advising you.
I hope it is straightforward for you.

House_Martin

Yorkshireman99 wrote: »

I agree. However, you need to be aware that there may be a later will and you may not be a benificiary. If you are, the executor(s) are obliged to satisfy themselves of the identity of any one claiming to be a beneficiary. The use of an intermediary like your solicitor should be OK but don't be surprised if it is not straightforward..

That is correct.My solicitor would not do anything like what you are suggesting. I was executor to my late partner with 4 beneficiaries .They would only forward money direct to verified bank account only.

Yorkshireman99

House_Martin wrote: »

That is correct.My solicitor would not do anything like what you are suggesting. I was executor to my late partner with 4 beneficiaries .They would only forward money direct to verified bank account only.

Have you actually asked your solicitor what to do? I am sure they can provide a solution that does not breach your privacy.