Contesting a Will as Next-of-Kin

BooJewels

I'm done with this now - you might have got decent advice on your original question if you'd answered the many pertinent questions asked of you - your reticence is what has derailed this thread.

But I would suggest that you get a funeral organised for the poor deceased.  A direct cremation starts from about £1300 and the funeral director holding your poor cousin can probably arrange this.  You've stated that you know the deceased's bank - write to them explaining that you need to arrange a funeral, as time marches on, and that until an executor is established, you will furnish the funeral director with their details and of the account holder and the FD will present their bill directly to the bank - who will pay it in such circumstances.  So no need for anyone to be out of pocket.

Each bank has a specialist bereavement team - so perhaps even ring them - and without changing anything, ask them what their procedure is for such a scenario.  In my experience of dealing with 2 recent bereavements, they are knowledgeable and sensitive and I'm sure that they'll be able to guide you in this tricky situation.  But I'm also pretty sure that you were told this about 20 pages back.

Robin9

@RomfordNavy - I do feel sorry for you - you are at least trying to do the right thing while every else has thrown the baby out with the bath water.

Thrugelmir

Robin9 said:

@RomfordNavy - I do feel sorry for you - you are at least trying to do the right thing while every else has thrown the baby out with the bath water.

Family and money is unfortunately a toxic combination. The deceased was no fool that's a certainty. 

RomfordNavy

Robin9 said:

@RomfordNavy - I do feel sorry for you - you are at least trying to do the right thing while every else has thrown the baby out with the bath water.

Funeral and a nice Wake all now complete.  Unfortunately took a while getting the money released to pay for it without an Executor but got there in the end.

RomfordNavy

Update:

• None of the Residual Beneficiaries (Charities) have done anything to deal with the deceased's affairs and estate.
• The Solicitors who wrote the Will are refusing to release the Larke vs Nugus request until one of the residual beneficiaries agrees to act as the deceased's Personal Representative.
• The local Hospital are refusing to release Medical Records but will not say so in writing.

RomfordNavy

If anyone is still watching this thread, the latest situation is:

None of the Residual Beneficiaries (Charities) have yet applied for Probate.  Still no Larke vs Nugus request released.  The only thing which has happened is that the Solicitors acting for one of the Charities have changed the locks on the property so that we no-longer have access.  I question whether this is legal as they don't have Probate so what gives them the authority to change the locks?