Death of Absent Father

natrob

Hi

Some advice please. I have found out today that my sons father passed away 2 weeks ago. This was advised by the Child Support Agency. My son has just turned 18, so assumed when they called it was to do with that.

I have called the registry office and requested a copy of the death certificate so that my son will always have one on his file.

My son has no contact with his paternal side, as he and I were subjected to physical violence and had to move away from the area.

Both he and I are on social media and can be contacted by his family, but no one has notified us.

I do not believe my ex partner has a will or property, however, he may have financial provisions in terms of pensions etc. I am trying to find all this out for him, as I believe he is the Next of Kin, and his only child. I understand he has never married since, and does not, as far as I am aware, have a legal partner.

Once I have the death certificate, what can I do to find out if there is any assets my son has claim to?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Savvy_Sue

Just a word of caution: is it likely that your ex will have anything of benefit to your son, or is it possible that he'll leave behind nothing but debt?

If the latter, steer well clear of doing ANYTHING.

If your son has any interest in going to his father's funeral, once you have the death certificate you may be able to work out where the funeral is likely to be. You could even get in touch with local funeral parlours to ask if they are making the arrangements.

Whoever arranges the funeral is responsible for paying for it: if no-one arranges it then the local authority (or hospital if he died there) will do so. Your son can still attend.

Owain_Moneysaver

Your son can write to The Executor or Administrator of the Estate of the late Mr XXX at his last known address (that may be on the death certificate) stating that he is presumed next of kin and wishes to make his claim for any bequests due by Will or intestacy of the deceased, but does not accept liability for any funeral or other expenses or for administration of the estate.

Try sending one copy Recorded Delivery, and another copy not recorded delivery.

This should end up in the hands of whoever is sorting out the house, etc - it may be social services if there is no-one else to arrange the funeral.

Social services may try and get your son to pay for the funeral but he should refuse this. Social services can recover funeral costs from the deceased's assets if there are any, but next of kin are not liable for the costs or for any debts of the deceased.

Tom99

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Your son can write to The Executor or Administrator of the Estate of the late Mr XXX at his last known address (that may be on the death certificate) stating that he is presumed next of kin and wishes to make his claim for any bequests due by Will or intestacy of the deceased, but does not accept liability for any funeral or other expenses or for administration of the estate.

Try sending one copy Recorded Delivery, and another copy not recorded delivery.

This should end up in the hands of whoever is sorting out the house, etc - it may be social services if there is no-one else to arrange the funeral.

Social services may try and get your son to pay for the funeral but he should refuse this. Social services can recover funeral costs from the deceased's assets if there are any, but next of kin are not liable for the costs or for any debts of the deceased.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I am glad you are not a relative of mine.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I certainly would not adopt that approach but make more discrete and sensitive approach.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]You son's farther has died, he may be upset or he may not be, but that approach would make him look like the most uncaring money grabbing relative possible. 'I am not interested in his body or doing anything respectful for my father, only his money'. [/FONT]

Pollycat

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I am glad you are not a relative of mine.
[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I certainly would not adopt that approach but make more discrete and sensitive approach.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]You son's farther has died, he may be upset or he may not be, but that approach would make him look like the most uncaring money grabbing relative possible. 'I am not interested in his body or doing anything respectful for my father, only his money'. [/FONT]

Given what is said in the original post:

natrob wrote: »

My son has no contact with his paternal side, as he and I were subjected to physical violence and had to move away from the area.

maybe looking 'like the most uncaring money grabbing relative possible' wouldn't be an issue for the OP and her son.[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
[/FONT]

Tom99

Pollycat wrote: »

Given what is said in the original post:
maybe looking 'like the most uncaring money grabbing relative possible' wouldn't be an issue for the OP and her son.[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Verdana, sans-serif] [/FONT]

That's fine then go straight ahead

Pollycat

Tom99 wrote: »

That's fine then go straight ahead

I'm not the OP so nothing to 'go straight ahead' with.

I was simply pointing out that what may be perceived as a 'money grabbing' attitude in most circumstances may not apply here.

DigForVictory

I'd send a letter, but the contact address would be through a third party.

Domestic abuse leaves ripples & all sorts of misunderstandings & the outlaws might not be graceful in grief.

Tom99

Pollycat wrote: »

I'm not the OP so nothing to 'go straight ahead' with.
I was simply pointing out that what may be perceived as a 'money grabbing' attitude in most circumstances may not apply here.

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I think that Owain MoneySaver's suggested text would appear money grabbing in any circumstances and that a more sensitive approach to the father's family should be possible.[/FONT]

Pollycat

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Verdana, sans-serif]I think that Owain MoneySaver's suggested text would appear money grabbing in any circumstances and that a more sensitive approach to the father's family should be possible.[/FONT]

Do the Father's family deserve a 'more sensitive approach' though?

getmore4less

If there is no will and no mariage or civil partner the son(along with any other siblings) is the first in line to administer the estate.