british coal claim

[chris1]

5 years ago my sister and I started a claim with british cole for my late brother who died of coal dust related diseases.I fell out with my sister about 3 years ago, I recently found out we were succesfull in our claim,am I still entitled to a percentage ?

[Stu Dent]

Ok, I need to know when your brother died and when the claim was settled. I also need to know if there was a will and if you and your sister were included in it.

It will be even more helpful if you can tell me what part of the UK your brother resided in when he died.

[chris1]

hi ..he died around 8 yrs ago,i think the claim was settled around 12 months ago...yes he did leave a will and we were both in it...and he resided in south wales when he died....

[chris1]

hi ..he died around 8 yrs ago,i think the claim was settled around 12 months ago...yes he did leave a will and we were both in it...and he resided in south wales when he died....

[Stu Dent]

You need to look at the will as a starting point. What does you brother's will say? Obviously, it was made before the compensation was awarded. But, if it states that 'all my property goes to Mary', then Mary gets the compensation money. If it says all my estate should be distributed equally between 'my sisters' then all sisters (legitimate or illegitimate) may possibly qualify.

On the face of it, you should be entitled to an equal share of the compensation. But the contents of the will is very important.