Brother estranged from family

northwest1965

Our father passed away a few weeks ago and we have now received the will. I am an executor along with another family member. We have written to the beneficiaries except my estranged brother. We have text him, asking for an email address to be used for correspondence but have received no reply. (we know it's a correct telephone number because we used it to tell him about his father). Legally, what should we be doing next to contact him? Thinking further down the road, if he sends an email address, what should we require to  confirm that he is alive and  actually receives the money?

Dox

I'd get on with administering the estate and when his inheritance becomes available, text him to let him know. You can ask for whatever proof of ID you think is necessary to confirm it is him and he's alive and well.

northwest1965

Dox said:

I'd get on with administering the estate and when his inheritance becomes available, text him to let him know. You can ask for whatever proof of ID you think is necessary to confirm it is him and he's alive and well.

what proof of ID would you ask for?bearing in mind no one has spoken to him for years. 

Flugelhorn

maybe he would be able to send you a photo of his driving licence (if he has one?) 

xylophone

Have you tried to find out his postal address?

(we know it's a correct telephone number because we used it to tell him about his father). 

You mean that you /another person) actually spoke to your brother or that you left a voicemail?

You might need to telephone/leave a voicemail indicating that you need to contact him concerning his father's will?

You can get on with obtaining probate and then opening an executors' account.

Your brother's legacy can be safely left in the exor a/c pending any action.

With regard to identification, you might request a  certified copy of his council tax statement/a  recent bank statement/ his driving licence/passport?

northwest1965

very personal but no one has spoken to him. It was done by text, we asked him to confirm he got the message and said "yes message received" (before you judge- our mother died less than a year ago and we telephoned then and he didn't come to the funeral. Hasn't enquired either as to how Dad was for years.)
Great idea about a certified copy of passport...thanks

xylophone

It was done by text, we asked him to confirm he got the message and said "yes message received" (before you judge- our mother died less than a year ago and we telephoned then and he didn't come to the funeral. Hasn't enquired either as to how Dad was for years.)

This is an extremely sad situation for everybody and I had no intention of judging - I am sorry if my post came over that way.

If it is possible to ascertain his address, you could try a letter - otherwise another text concerning the will?

Flugelhorn

so sorry to hear this - very difficult situation - happens more often than people realise and for all sorts of reasons -  makes dealing with this so much harder. 
If you need to get a certified copy of something then this can be done by the Post Office 
https://www.postoffice.co.uk/identity/document-certification
Obviously none of us know the financials of your parents or your brother but the on thing that does tend to make people make contact is the presence of a will / legacy so he may respond