Details Of A Will

[andy-hughes]

My mother died in January this year.

I estranged from my two sisters who will have handled her estate - is there a way of finding details of her will? If she left me anything, they won't be in any rush to make sure that I receive it, but I am her child as well, and I want what I am entitled to.

If anyone can advise how I can enquire about anything she may have left, I would be grateful.

[Mamyalynne]

After a Will has been through Probate it becomes a public document, then search for 'How to get a copy of a Will'.

[Tilly2]

No idea who her solicitor was, Andy?

[hc4361]

https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

[Tilly2]

If your sisters are executors, they have a duty to contact all the beneficiaries.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks all.

I wouldn't rely on my sisters to do the right thing - but I will investigate and see if there is anything that is rightfully mine.

They will have divied up everything in her house, so I am left with anything that law says I can have.

Families - who'd have 'em!!

(Well I would - just not them!!)

[Tilly2]

Were you estranged from your Mum too?

[Tilly2]

Actually, I'm not being nosy, just wondering why you don't know anything about her Will.

[Peter Pedant]

I am sorry for your loss Andie
and sorry that the aftermath is so unreasonable
Quarrelling over a will is common

and yes some executors incredibly think a will is a rough guide to how they decide to divi up the estate but not much more

identify the probate registry nearest to where your mum died -
go along and fill out a watch form - - - £5
they will then contact you when the will is probated
and I think you then apply for a copy £10

Manchester probate were very helpful

and yes when I did this - I found a fren' had been left something and the solicitor just sent a snotty letter saying the object had been given to charity so that was the end of it!
( but it wasnt !!)

[Peter Pedant]

// Actually, I'm not being nosy, just wondering why you don't know anything about her Will.//

very very common Tillz - not to show the will around
I think the testator thinks it will save quarrelling - and it certainly does whilst they are alive

alot of my frenz refuse even to say if they have made a will! ( well blimey o reilly - they arent planning to die without one are they ?)

[raymondouk]

Hi Andy, Sorry for your loss.
Peter responded with some great info but it just begs another question.
Peter stated
Quote -
I found a fren' had been left something and the solicitor just sent a snotty letter saying the object had been given to charity so that was the end of it!
Unquote
If I was Peter’s fren’ I would then ask that solicitor to provide proof that the ‘something’ had been given to charity?
This then causes a problem for the solicitor in that if he/she were the executor, it was his/her responsibility to have documentary evidence or the disposal of the ‘something’. If it cannot be provided then I believe that solicitor acted incorrectly. But as I also believe they are a closed shop, one solicitor is not likely sue another over a mal-practise.

So at the end of the day Andy, if you believe there may be something in the will for you, then I would you to keep your eye on the ball and follow the sound advice already given and act as quickly as possible.

[scooping]

Good luck. Stand up for yourself and don't take No, or delay, for an answer.

[andy-hughes]

Thanks all for your kind thoughts.

A.

[albaqwerty]

Andy, I am so sorry for your loss.

One thing tho, concerns me, is your comment 'I want what I am entitled to'

Your mother may not have left anything for you, but do go down as many legal routes as you can as my mother left me a few things in her Will, and 10 years later, the executor brother still hasn't given me the items.
On the plus side, I can sleep well at night.

[andy-hughes]

Alba - thanks to you and all others who have expressed their sympathies.

I didn't shed a single tear for my mother, and didn't attend her funeral.

My attitude is, if she left me something, then I am entitled to it, I am her child as much as my sisters are.

If she didn't - as i strongly suspect, then that's fine, I won't shed any tears over that either.

She shunned my wife for being Catholic and divorced, she utterly ignored my children and their children, while opening her home to my sisters' families, so I don't think about her, but if there is anything coming to me, I'll take it.

[Peter Pedant]

Hi Waymondo !

anonymising the events to prevent the fraudsters being identified, prosecuted and punished

since me and my fren' live in Gtr Bugthorpe - the object was identified in the charity shop down the road and so I applied for the resale value of the thing

There was also an outstanding debt the old man owed me which was much too great to ignore that the solicitor dismissed as 'this is not a loan note' - so I had great fun exhausting their internal complaints procedure - openly faxing their general office with a demand the senior partner review what seemed to be a case of breach of trust, as it was my duty to prevent such appalling standard of service being applied to others. [ and confessing to an itch (nay, compulsion - nay....) to refer them to their regulator]

as the divine oscar said: it was higher than a duty. it had become a pleasure.

[ I was surprised the solicitor behaved as he did even if it was ( as it undoubtedly was) under instruction from the other executor and main beneficiary ]