Problem with fathers ex partner.

[BRIAN58]

My father passed away a 8 months ago. He had a partner for company when I was at work but they finished with each other about 2 months before he passed away. I have inherited the house and full ownership was transfered to me after probate was granted.

I have suddenly received a letter from her solicitor stating she has posessions in the house amounting to �3,000 in value and she requires entry to the property to recover them.

I have searched the property and I have been unable to find any of these posessions on the list which came with this letter.

Am I obliged to let her in?. If so is there any service I can use to ensure that no damage is done to the house and none of my posessions are taken.

[themas]

Has she or anyone else had access to the house since your father died? For example, did she have a key to the house? If so, have you changed the locks and how long after the death did you do so?

Could she have already taken her things and this is a try on?

In other words, do you trust her?

You are probably not obliged to let her in, but if you don't she will presumably go on raising this issue so it may be best to let her in. But if you do make sure you and at least one other independent person are present with her all the time she is there. If she brings someone else with her make sure neither of them is left alone at any time while in the house. (In other words, don't trust her!)

Of course, she could still raise the issue after she has been in, by claiming that you or someone else has removed her possessions.

[TRACEYJO]

Hi Brian

I would be suspicious of this.

Was your father well in the last 2 months of his life?. Why did she not ask for her possessions immediately after they finished with each other?.

I just cannot understand why she left it so long before she enquired about her possessions. (nearly 10 months). Can she tell you where they were in the house when she last saw them?.

If it was me I would want her to get the police involved and let them come and look in the house,

Did you see any of these possessions at any point?. I would certainly not offer her any money and if legal proceedings are commenced I would involve a solicitor.

From what you say I think it would be very unlikely she would be able to get any compensation from you.

[gentleman]

Oh Hello? Solicitors are just a post office. Pay a postage stamp on any rubbish and they will delivery it.

Unless there is evidence, proof or any certified paper work that any property was lodged in the property before the person's demised and especially paperwork from the deceased to confirm the item belongs to her she can claim it but through the court of law.

However, if the title and any possession in the property is 100% entitled to you in the inheritance by the Court of Law no one can claim any belongings save for any debt still owing on the item.

I think you should tell her to use her solicitor's letter as a toilet paper when she next visit the convenience or to put it crudely, use it as a 'bum scrubber'

[gentleman]

Oh yes. Just one more thing. DO NOT give her access to the property. She can claim Squatter's Rights the moment she gets in the door. This right is for excess with breaking and entering but permitted by the owner. You are then looking at very expensive legal proceedings to get her out. Make sure you have changed every access locks to the Property and no one else have a key to access it save the person(s) you trust. I am not a Lawyer but a person with common sense that prevails.