Inheritance query

[settlepetal]

My Aunt died 2 years ago. Her husband said she left no money, so we all clubbed together to pay for her funeral. Since she died, her husband has been living a life of luxury with holidays and fancy cars. How do I find out if she did actually leave any money or not? Please note, I have no intention of making a claim on any money if she did leave it, I just simply want to know the truth?

[dzug]

If she left a will and if it went to probate, then you can get a copy from the Probate Office for a small fee. It will tell you the net amount she left and who to.

If the husband took ownership without going to probate then there's not much you can to to find out. Apart from conning you out of your share of the funeral expenses, the husband hasn't necessarily done anything wrong.

[Sherwoodlond]

I think you ought to do some investigating/questionning.

If there was a will, you could see this at the Probate Court. Executors of wills do not always distribute the estate in accordance with the terms of the will.

If there was no will, your aunt died intestate. Most people believe everything goes to the surviving spouse. It does not always. See below.

I got this from the BBC on intestacy:

intestacy rules dictate:


1) If you are married with children then when you die intestate your spouse gets everything up to �125,000 together with your personal possessions.

The remainder is split in half with 50% going to your children when they reach the age of 18 and the balance going into trust for the rest of your spouse's life. When the spouse dies this half reverts to the children.


2) If you are married with no children but there are other relatives, then the spouse receives everything up to �200,000 and again takes your personal possessions.

The rest is divided with half going to the spouse and the balance going to your parents. If your parents are dead then this half is divided amongst your brothers or sisters or their children.

So if the estate was worth above �200,000, it sounds as if you (or your parents if still alive) are entitled to a share.

You can check intestacy rules on the internet.