How to resolve unfair division of stuff after death of a parent

Spendless

What made him take the furniture straight away in the first place? Is it something he always coveted or items he didn't own eg he didn't have a wardrobe or dining set so when your parents died thought Now, I have one

Sarahspangles

silversnail said:

Gosh, are people so mean as to wind others up on purpose? 

Yep! I’m from a big family and I’m sure I’m sometimes the winder and other times the windee.  And when I’m merely one of several interested observers, I can turn to another and say ‘There was enough said at our Edie's wedding’.  Which I’ve heard older family members quote since I was a lass. I actually thought for many years this referred to my Great-Aunt Edie, but apparently it was Al Read’s.

silversnail

No idea why he took it straight away.  Can't get my head round it at all.  Certainly wasn't to be helpful!!!!

bobster2

Originally you didn't seem to bothered about the contents - and thought there was little of value. Did it turn out there were items of significant value?

From your earlier thread...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6430810/finding-new-homes-for-contents-of-house-before-probate/p1

silversnail said:

My dad has sadly died, and we have his house to sell.  We are wondering if it is ok to clear the house before probate is granted.  There isn't anything of value, just furniture like sofa, dining table, beds, chests of drawers, fridge etc; one or two pieces may go to family members, but we may put bits and pieces on ebay or marketplace, or give things to charity.  None of us live near the house, so ideally we don't want to leave it all till the house is sold further down the line, but rather do it gradually over time if possible.  Inheritance tax is not due, but we will still apply for probate.  We can give the solicitors a figure to say what things are worth in total, but it won't be very high. Please can someone advise what is and isn't allowed, as when I use the all-wise google, I keep getting different answers. Thanks so much in advance.

Brie

Sorry for your loss.  Yes families can be pretty weird sometimes.

If you have pictures of the furniture could you ask somebodies advice about the value?  And then do a guess about anything else?  Washing machine might be worth X on a local selling site but a music system might need more specialist help as would antiques.  Then it would be easy enough to say to Bro "you've already got approximately £XXX due to what you've taken, the car is worth £KK, the house £REWk so adding those 2 together minus what you've already had your share is £££."  I doubt anyone could win in court arguing as long as you can back up your statements.

As for the wind up merchants.....I've known people who take great joy in being a pain, it's a power trip to them and gives them something to boast about when they're down the club with their friends.  (who will no doubt be rolling their eyes and saying "here he goes yet again....")

silversnail

Bobster - you are right, that was my earlier thread.  The only thing of the value is the aforementioned (in this thread) piece.  I didn't mention it in the other thread as it wasn't my focus.  Didn't mean to be misleading.  It was all the other bits and pieces of rammel that take the time to clear.  I didn't mention there is a car either.  But there is.  In a way, the things of worth are easier to get my head round than all the many, many, many other things!!!!

gwynlas

Depending on quality many antiques have little value these days as very few people want them compared to say 20+ years ago when your parents probably bought them. You can check auction house catologues on line to look for similar items to what your brother removed. At least they will possibly be appreciated by him or if hr's taken them for sale in the future he is unlikely to get what he expects they would be worth. Mid century furniture such as g plan are popular but again need to be by named designers to be worth more than £00's









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silversnail

You are right; there is stuff that my mum liked that isn't worth much.  The only thing worth anything is midcentury and by a very desirable maker. 

BooJewels

My parents had some nice mid-century stuff and that was the only thing any dealers were interested in, but we'd already decided between us that we were keeping most of it.  It just depends on what's fashionable at the time. 

My parents married in the 50s, so some pieces were from then and they moved into their house we sold in 1968, so they furnished it with more new stuff then - as it was much larger.  They had an account with a local department store.  Over the years as they had a bit more money they added nice antique pieces - it's a bit ironic that these were worth less now than they paid for them and yet the functional pieces they bought because they needed them would have sold for much more.

Pennylane

My late FIL had antiques galore. In approx 1980 he had a huge, dark wood Court Cupboard valued when he was moving house.  A top London auction house said  it should fetch nearly £20K.  He hung on to it thinking it would become more valuable. By 2000ish it was virtually worthless as nobody wanted large pieces and nobody wanted dark wood.  I believe it just scraped in at £3,500.