Question about Wills

[Kristal53]

Hi
My fathers cousin died 8 weeks ago, a widow with no children. My Father and Uncle, who were his only family, are both deceased, leaving myself and three other second cousins as his only living family. About 20 years ago he asked my father for all our (2nd cousins) full names and addresses and my father concluded that this was for his Will. He lived over 300 miles from us but kept in touch with my mother. When he died the solicitors contacted my mother to ask about funeral arrangements, but she is very elderly and cannot travel, so left it up to the solicitors to arrange. We have heard nothing since - I do not want to be indelicate, but do want to know if we as cousins have been left any of his quite substantial estate. My question is: What is the usual timeframe for settling soemones Estate if they have a Will, and at what point are the beneficiaries contacted - are they contacted after the Will has been 'read' or after the executor has paid off debts, liquidated assets and is in a position to admisister the inheritance.
thankyou

[Kristal53]

I've reposted this question in the civil law section -please reply there if you can -thanks

[Nical]

When my mother died last year, the solicitors sent all the beneficiaries a copy of the will within a week. When my father-in-law died in March, the solicitors sent my husband - the executor - a copy within a week, but haven't yet contacted the other beneficiaries. Law Society (Scotland) leaflets informed us that payments from estates are not normally made until six months from the date of death - to allow time for any reasonable,legitimate claims.