After advice - death of an aunt without direct descendants, estate intestate

Sulphur_Man

Hopefully this will be a quick answer. I'm after advice on a business servicce to help investigate the status of a probate. 

The details. 
Aunt died June 2016. England, Birmingham
Died intestate
The only living descendants are nieces and nephews - five in total. 
A few months after the death, one cousin closest to the deceased contacted me stating the lack of will and that a solicitor, or them, would be in contact in due course.
Probate granted in 2017 - marked INTESTATE
House sold in 2018. 
No update from this cousin since.

From my perspective, I'm solvent and comfortable so not actively pursuing this. However, I know that other cousins would appreciate knowing if any inheritance is coming their way. Either way, some resolution is needed. Those cousins also have had no response from the cousin who dealt with the estate. None of these relatives are close, as the brothers and sisters of the deceased were not close either. 

In light of the radio silence, who would be best to investigate this further, from a professional standpoint? 

RAS

If you have a copy of the probate, you know who the administrator is (cousin or lawyer), and the value. Who is it?
You can find the value of the sale on-line, does that tie in?

And of 4 non-administrators, how many get on well enough to act in concert?

One option might be to send a letter signed by all indicating that you will collectively be seeking to remove them as administrator unless they provide a copy of the estate accounts within a deadline, and arrange distribution. 

At the most basic level, what evidence do you have individually of previous communications?  Have letters been sent first class with proof of posting, and the receipts kept? Could someone collate a list of all the previous communication for which no reply has been received?

Marcon

Sulphur_Man said:

Hopefully this will be a quick answer. I'm after advice on a business servicce to help investigate the status of a probate. 

The details. 
Aunt died June 2016. England, Birmingham
Died intestate
The only living descendants are nieces and nephews - five in total. 
A few months after the death, one cousin closest to the deceased contacted me stating the lack of will and that a solicitor, or them, would be in contact in due course.
Probate granted in 2017 - marked INTESTATE
House sold in 2018. 
No update from this cousin since.

From my perspective, I'm solvent and comfortable so not actively pursuing this. However, I know that other cousins would appreciate knowing if any inheritance is coming their way. Either way, some resolution is needed. Those cousins also have had no response from the cousin who dealt with the estate. None of these relatives are close, as the brothers and sisters of the deceased were not close either. 

In light of the radio silence, who would be best to investigate this further, from a professional standpoint? 

Given it is well over five years since the house was sold, is there a particular reason for raising the issue now (other than the usual 'just got round to it...'!)?

Have you all made a concerted effort to get a reply from the cousin, or have you just been waiting patiently with fingers crossed? I'd have one more go - preferably all of you - at getting a response.

If that doesn't work, then a polite but determined letter from a solicitor asking when the proceeds of the estate will be distributed might do the trick.

Sulphur_Man

RAS said:

If you have a copy of the probate, you know who the administrator is (cousin or lawyer), and the value. Who is it?
You can find the value of the sale on-line, does that tie in?

And of 4 non-administrators, how many get on well enough to act in concert?

One option might be to send a letter signed by all indicating that you will collectively be seeking to remove them as administrator unless they provide a copy of the estate accounts within a deadline, and arrange distribution. 

At the most basic level, what evidence do you have individually of previous communications?  Have letters been sent first class with proof of posting, and the receipts kept? Could someone collate a list of all the previous communication for which no reply has been received?

I have all the above - probate, the name of the person granted to execute. My curiosity stems from the perspective that I believe the government, or an appointed legal advisor, oversees the execution of an estate when no will is presented, not the actual probate applicant. Is that incorrect?

Keep_pedalling

Sulphur_Man said:

RAS said:

If you have a copy of the probate, you know who the administrator is (cousin or lawyer), and the value. Who is it?
You can find the value of the sale on-line, does that tie in?

And of 4 non-administrators, how many get on well enough to act in concert?

One option might be to send a letter signed by all indicating that you will collectively be seeking to remove them as administrator unless they provide a copy of the estate accounts within a deadline, and arrange distribution. 

At the most basic level, what evidence do you have individually of previous communications?  Have letters been sent first class with proof of posting, and the receipts kept? Could someone collate a list of all the previous communication for which no reply has been received?

I have all the above - probate, the name of the person granted to execute. My curiosity stems from the perspective that I believe the government, or an appointed legal advisor, oversees the execution of an estate when no will is presented, not the actual probate applicant. Is that incorrect?

No, if a nearest living relation applies for letters of administration there is no more oversight than there is with an estate with named executors. Sounds like your cousin (I am assuming they are the person named on the probate documents) may be hoping you all forget about it. I would be firing off a letter before action to make sure he knows it is not forgotten. Ask for a response within 14 days or you will be speaking advice from a solicitor.

You may not be bothered by the money but you should be bothered by their possible theft of the estate.

stuhse

Could be theft could be the cousin has died .  

Sea_Shell

stuhse said:

Could be theft could be the cousin has died .  

The death of said cousin could open a huge can if worms if this money has been incorrectly distributed as if is was "their" estate!!!