Cheque Recieved 13 years After Death

Goodmiester

My father in law was a builder who sadly passed away 13 years ago.
My wife was the executor of his estate and everything was left to her and my sister in law as a 50/50. I basically dealt with all the Admin.

This week completely out of the blue we received a cheque for a considerable sum addressed to the FiL. This was for settlement of a debt from 2006 where it seems a person he had done building work for had gone bust and he’d been registered as a creditor. The settlement is circa 55p in the pound.

Clearly probate long since settled and we thought all matters wrapped up as we had no knowledge of this debt.
All account’s regarding the Estate closed ages ago.

Any idea what we do in respect of cashing this cheque? 

The proceeds will go to my wife and her sister as per the wishes of the Will

Pointers and advice gratefully received 

Keep_pedalling

Presumably the cheque came from whoever is dealing the debts owed by the person or company he had worked for. Your wife should write to them in her role as executor informing them of her fathers death requesting that they issue a new cheque in her name. Return the cheque and enclose a copy of the grant of probate.

Did his estate have to pay IHT?

Goodmiester

Thanks for advice - I will do that and include info such as Will and Probate

Yes there was IHT to pay 

Keep_pedalling

Goodmiester said:

Thanks for advice - I will do that and include info such as Will and Probate

Yes there was IHT to pay 

You don’t need the will. Strictly speaking IHT will be owed on this. My wife had a payment from her uncle’s estate (missed bank account) 7 years after his estate was wound up. The executors (solicitors) payed IHT on it before passing it on to her.