Inheritance Hidden From Me By Family Members

GDB2222

I don’t think that there’s anything there that the police can act on. 

So, really, you need to find a way to put this behind you and move on. 

lincroft1710

GDB2222 said:

I don’t think that there’s anything there that the police can act on. 

So, really, you need to find a way to put this behind you and move on. 

As our local constabulary appear reluctant to act on a vehicle theft, reported to them immediately after the event with video footage of the culprit (known to the police), I think there is a 0.0000000001% chance of the police investigating an allegation of a 20 yr old fraud. 

Ty66ty

I know I have a very slim chance of it getting anywhere. But for my own piece of mind I have to give it the best go I can.

There's been a lot of good advice given to me here and thank you for that.

There's just one thing more if I may so I am clear on the will process after someone has died.

A person dies. I'm assuming the beneficiaries are then formally contacted by the Executor to say they are in the will and possibly given a copy? What is bequeathed to the beneficiaries is then given to them after the will has been registered with the probate office?

So in my case. My nan dies. Me, my brother and the main beneficiary are connected to say we are in the will and possibly a copy of the will is sent. My mum contest's the will which delays probate for 2 and a half years. Once the probate is granted the cheques are sent out to me and my brother.

I'm assuming a beneficiary doesn't just get a cheque come in the post with no prior knowledge after someone dies?

MovingForwards

Usually ID is provided before any money is released, based on my experience over the last 20 years.

tooldle

It can vary. When my gran died, I did not receive a copy of the will setting out my mothers inheritance. I have POA for mum. A cheque arrived via post with no additional checks. When my dad died, I had to provide id, just to get the will from the solicitor, and I was the executor. 

I also have a friend who’s parents estate is in progress and has been for over 18months where the beneficiaries have received letters to say they are in the will, with no further detail. 

Cheques don’t come directly after probate. The estate has first to be settled, bills paid, property sold if instructed, etc. Only when that is complete is it ok to distribute the proceeds in accordance with the will, assuming there is enough to cover what is stipulated. 

Have you checked your own accounts to be 100% certain the funds were not banked into your accounts?

TBagpuss

Yes, normally you would get a letter telling you you were a beneficiary, then the solicitor would ask for your details and then make the payment. Typically (at least nowadays) they would need to see proof of ID 

GDB2222

TBagpuss said:

Yes, normally you would get a letter telling you you were a beneficiary, then the solicitor would ask for your details and then make the payment. Typically (at least nowadays) they would need to see proof of ID 

When my aunt died a few years ago, her executor (her son, my cousin) simply wrote to me, sending me a cheque. I never saw the will, and he didn’t ask for ID.  

Ty66ty

There's no way I've forgotten. None. At first I thought it was a possibility. Even though deep down I knew it wasn't. But you have to look at these things logically. It was nearly 20 years ago. But as I've pieced things together. There's no way I've forgotten.

tooldle said:

Cheques don’t come directly after probate. The estate has first to be settled, bills paid, property sold if instructed, etc. Only when that is complete is it ok to distribute the proceeds in accordance with the will, assuming there is enough to cover what is stipulated. 

 
There was a property which had to be sold. Can this process start before probate or can it only start after?

Ty66ty

GDB2222 said:

TBagpuss said:

When my aunt died a few years ago, her executor (her son, my cousin) simply wrote to me, sending me a cheque. I never saw the will, and he didn’t ask for ID.  

Am I to assume there was no solicitor involved and if one is involved they issue the cheques?

Savvy_Sue

It depends on the role of the solicitors: if they are executors then they will issue the cheques. If they are asked to handle the distribution, they will issue the cheques. If they are consulted for advice on any particular aspect of the will, then it may not be them who issues the cheques. 

But I thought you had concluded that solicitors did issue the cheques? 

You don't have to tell people that they are named in a will before you send them a cheque. At work (small charity), we have received more than one unexpected cheque following the death of one or other of our lovely supporters.