Accept entitlement under a will?

kuepper

Despite maintaining good relations with my ex-wife and her mother I've been very surprised to be notified I am a beneficiary in the will of my ex-wife's mother to the tune of a few grand. Not sure what my ex wife and other members of her family feel about it, I imagine none of them will be happy. I haven't talked to my ex wife yet and not sure what to say if I did. I like money as much as anyone else but I feel torn about whether to accept it or not (who does it go to then?). Anyone had a similar situation?

Ms_Chocaholic

Not had a similar situation but she clearly wanted you to receive a portion of her estate.  Do you have children with your ex-wife, if so maybe this is why.  Did you have a good relationship with her when you were married.  

Try not to worry what your ex and other members of her family think, this was a decision of her mother and she has to accept it. 

I'd enjoy the money.

Keep_pedalling

If you decline the bequest it falls back into the estate and will go to the residual beneficiaries. You could also make a deed of variation to redirect your bequest to whoever you want. 

WillowLeaf

kuepper said:

Not sure what my ex wife and other members of her family feel about it, I imagine none of them will be happy.

They can like it or not like it, nothing to do with them, it wasn't their money before your Mother-In-Law passed and isn't now.

I'd take the money as she wanted you to have it. You can then keep it or give it to charity or anyone else if you feel uncomfortable. It's not millions so not going to make a big difference in the grand scheme of things.

sheenas

Say nothing to your ex-wife and enjoy a good holiday 

kuepper

Ms_Chocaholic said:

Not had a similar situation but she clearly wanted you to receive a portion of her estate.  Do you have children with your ex-wife, if so maybe this is why.  Did you have a good relationship with her when you were married.  

Try not to worry what your ex and other members of her family think, this was a decision of her mother and she has to accept it. 

I'd enjoy the money.

Yes we always had a good relationship and yes she had a granddaughter from my marriage, I'm surprised she didn't give it to her directly but apparently she didn't give anything to her grandchildren from my wife's second marriage either. So if I give the money to my daughter (which I'd thought might be a solution ) that might cause ructions between her and her half siblings (and their mother too).

Savvy_Sue

If she wrote the will after your divorce, or fairly recently, I'd accept it and then decide what to do with it. OTOH if the will was written way back before that, I might consider not accepting it as clearly an oversight on her part. If you get the chance to take your DD away without her siblings, you could maybe enjoy yourselves more than usual, without explaining why. 

If it was a solicitor who notified you, then there's no need for you to talk to either your ex-wife or other family members about it. Eventually they'll be able to find out, if they don't know already, but the will over-rules what anyone feels about it!

Ms_Chocaholic

kuepper said:

Ms_Chocaholic said:

Not had a similar situation but she clearly wanted you to receive a portion of her estate.  Do you have children with your ex-wife, if so maybe this is why.  Did you have a good relationship with her when you were married.  

Try not to worry what your ex and other members of her family think, this was a decision of her mother and she has to accept it. 

I'd enjoy the money.

Yes we always had a good relationship and yes she had a granddaughter from my marriage, I'm surprised she didn't give it to her directly but apparently she didn't give anything to her grandchildren from my wife's second marriage either. So if I give the  woul to my daughter (which I'd thought might be a solution ) that might cause ructions between her and her half siblings (and their mother too).

Presumably though your MIL left some of your estate to her daughter (you're ex) so she can share her share with the children if she so wishes.

Ms_Chocaholic

Savvy_Sue said:

If she wrote the will after your divorce, or fairly recently, I'd accept it and then decide what to do with it. OTOH if the will was written way back before that, I might consider not accepting it as clearly an oversight on her part. If you get the chance to take your DD away without her siblings, you could maybe enjoy yourselves more than usual, without explaining why. 

If it was a solicitor who notified you, then there's no need for you to talk to either your ex-wife or other family members about it. Eventually they'll be able to find out, if they don't know already, but the will over-rules what anyone feels about it!

You can get a copy of the Will on the Government website, I think it costs £1.50, if you want to know for sure.

otb666

I think it costs 16.00 now

amibovvered

otb666 said:

I think it costs 16.00 now

Wow, that's a heck of an increase - I got  a copy of a will late May this year and it was still £1.50 then!