Deputy failed to make a will

Spendless

Agreed that hindsight is a wonderful thing but that also includes your BIL not making a will prior to the accident. Initially I thought you were talking about someone just into adulthood when such things usually aren't on their agenda, but re-reading the posts, I see he was in his 50s at the time of the accident. Plenty of time to have considered this, especially considering the family dynamics you've spoken of. There was always the possibility that BiL's Dad could inherit without one, even if they thought he might be leaving him a£5 in a bank account rather than having the accident that left him dying as a millionaire.   

I think that's the life lesson I'd take from it - ensure you have an up to date will. 

LouiseG5033

Believe me, my BIL was not the type to think about a will. Prior to his accident, he led a ‘chaotic’ lifestyle and did not work and he had no assets whatsoever.  Yes I wil be making a will in the very near future. I have just never got around to it but do need to make one as we do have some assets. 

boingy

The thing is, and I realise this goes against the grain on a money forum, if you are single with no kids and few assets then making a will is just not that important. 

Spendless

boingy said:

The thing is, and I realise this goes against the grain on a money forum, if you are single with no kids and few assets then making a will is just not that important. 

And yet this thread shows why it is.  There's a thread running on here asking if it's worth making a will  due to their current circs  and one of the replies was 'just because you have no money now, doesn't mean you'll also die without money' 

LouiseG5033

The main thing is, the solicitors told us they would be making a will and we trusted them. Otherwise, we would have sought a statutory will or asked deputy to consider a statutory will. BIL left £2 million and a will should have been a priority: 

boingy

Spendless said:

boingy said:

The thing is, and I realise this goes against the grain on a money forum, if you are single with no kids and few assets then making a will is just not that important. 

And yet this thread shows why it is.  There's a thread running on here asking if it's worth making a will  due to their current circs  and one of the replies was 'just because you have no money now, doesn't mean you'll also die without money' 

But, from the info we can glean from this thread, the person at the centre of all this, the BIL, actually wouldn't care. He'd probably be amused that he died a millionaire. Louise, I'm bailing out of this thread before it gets out of hand. I'm really sorry for your loss but don't beat yourself up about the money. You did really well. 

LouiseG5033

boingy said:

Spendless said:

boingy said:

The thing is, and I realise this goes against the grain on a money forum, if you are single with no kids and few assets then making a will is just not that important. 

And yet this thread shows why it is.  There's a thread running on here asking if it's worth making a will  due to their current circs  and one of the replies was 'just because you have no money now, doesn't mean you'll also die without money' 

But, from the info we can glean from this thread, the person at the centre of all this, the BIL, actually wouldn't care. He'd probably be amused that he died a millionaire. Louise, I'm bailing out of this thread before it gets out of hand. I'm really sorry for your loss but don't beat yourself up about the money. You did really well. 

Thank you so much. I am with you and think this thread has run its course. If it serves as a warning to others who think it is a good idea to fight for compensation for family members in a dysfunctional family, then it’s done it’s job! Thank you all for your input - I really appreciate it.