There's obviously resentment in what you've posted. It's understandable but unless you want to fall out with your brother and line the solicitor's pockets then I really think you should try and compromise.

I wear my grandmother's wedding ring. My father was an only child so it was passed to my mother and then to me (as the only girl). I wear it every day. My ring from DH and my mother's ring are in my jewellery box for high days and holidays.

I'm telling you this because it's unlikely that your nieces would wear your mother's rings. Try to explain to your brother that you want to wear them not put them in drawer somewhere. Is there something else they could have as a keepsake? My brothers asked that my mum's bangles (12 thin, gold slave bangles) be shared between my 3 nieces. I did so to please them (their fathers). I've never seen the girls wear them and I know I'd have worn them every day but it was a compromise worth making.

A will is a matter of public record. Once probate has been obtained anyone (whether they are mentioned in the will or not) can apply for a copy of the will.

[QUOTE=.........My grandmother and one of her sisters once fell out for years over a pig-shaped nail brush so believe me, it doesn't take much! .......[/QUOTE]

It was a moulded glass sugar basin in my family!

While we are painted a picture of the evil SIL here, the fact is that if these items are not mentioned in the will and the estate is to be split between the OP and her brother he also has a right to a share of his mother’s chattels. Sons often want something from their mother that they can gift to their wife which they can pass on to their daughters, so I think the OP is being unreasonable in wanting it all.

She should have the grace to come to an arrangement with her brother on how to split these things.

It can't be proven either way, so if the family were daft enough to take it to court, the judge would look at whose fingers they were on. That would be mum's, until the moment they became too uncomfortable to keep on, an unspecified but short time before death.

By contrast if the OP had been wearing them for weeks with mum's knowledge, that would be clear evidence that a gift was made before death.

If the OP has a witness prepared to testify that after her mother asked her to remove the rings she immediately made her a gift of them, then it's not just "he said, she said" anymore.

Very much agree with this.

After my MIL (who I'd always got on with) died my FIL gave all her jewellery to my SIL.

EDIT : just realised half the post appeared!

Just wanted to add that whilst I wasn't expecting half, I did think a token piece would have been nice to have been given but didn't feel it was my place to ask for one (& I think it totally went over hubby's head).

Didn't affect my realionship with FIL but wondered for a long time if he felt the same about me as I did for him.

I think this is why it’s important to either divide things up before death or stipulate what goes to who in the will. Save all this drama.

My mum gave me the jewellery she wanted me to have a month before she passed away, in the presence of a witness. She also made mention of it in her will.
Meant others in the family had nothing to argue.

in her will, my mother left all her jewellery to me - her only daughter. The exception was 2 specific bracelets which were left to the 2 granddaughters. However, I asked my SIL and my DIL to chose an item as a keepsake which they did.

There was absolutely no animosity as we are a close family and not so mercenary as many people who post on these boards about resentment when it come to inheritance.

Grandaughters on sister in law side get nothing as a keepsake to remember her?

It would be surprising if Gran didn't have any other jewellery apart from the rings she regularly wore - those could be divided among the other family members.

And, as jewellery doesn't appear to have been specified, why shouldn't the brother be just as entitled to "significant" pieces such as engagement, wedding and eternity rings. Why shouldn't he receive one of the pieces she regularly wore?

In our case, there weren’t any.

I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your Mother, I truly am, and this must be a very hard time for you all.

It is only my opinion, but I find the bit in bold, quite unsavoury, because anything could be read in to that. This is how family breakdowns happen and it is completely and utterly avoidable.

Unless the rings are gifted in the Will...they are part of the estate - I am pretty sure your SIL is correct.

I would not be impressed, if I were your Brother, at the way you are handling this, so far, I must admit.

If your Brother is the quiet type and does not want to argue, maybe his wife is doing what you are:- protecting her Husbands (and by default her) and child's interests...so you can see where she is coming from, surely?

As I said, this is a very difficult time for you,and the entire family including your Brother....so my thoughts are:- Do not make it more difficult for you all, by initiating petty squabbles about possessions. It would be a dis-service to your Mother.

I have seen first hand family breakdowns due to possessions after a death, please please do NOT let this be another one of those.

Family is more important than possessions . I hope you find a way to work this out without alienating a section of your family/or vice versa

I am sorry and I know this comes across as I am having a gratuitous dig - so I apologise in advance for that. I am just saying an opinion of how things may be perceived

The OP hasn't been on the site for nearly a week, and I suspect won't particularly like the fact that she's not getting the answers she was expecting. However like you I hope she can see another point of view.

Ahh I didn't know. I didn't realise , not sure how to tell when someone was last on here

I think sometimes it helps to hear it explained (from a person who is not emotionally involved) just for the mere fact to see where the other side are coming from - whether a person agrees or not

It seems clear to me that your sister-in-law is the only one who will stand up to you. If my aunt took my grandmother's rings off her in the hospital and kept them, believe me the grasping thief would be treated as such.