finding missing accouts after a death

[emjalama]

my ex father in law passed away several months ago, his wife is in a somewhat confused state and added to this he was quite secretive concerning financial matters.
i have two children who he opened building society accounts for when they were born in their names with himself as trustee. every year he paid their birthday and xmas monies into the accounts instead of buying presents. since his death we cannot find the books relating to these accounts, added to this my ex mother in law has said my ex brother in law took all his bank books and then just gave her some money which was no where near she beleived to be in the accounts. i cannot approach my ex brother in law as obviously i have been divorced from this family for many years, i have contacted a couple of the local buidliding societies but to no avail, where can i go from here? i would be grateful of any help.

[HowardKennitby]

Do you know who was appointed the executor of the will?

[tonywiltshire]

If your ex-Father in law left a will you need to get a copy of it from the probate office in York. You need to provide the name of the deceased, date of death and last known address send to The Postal Searches & Copies Department, The Probate Registry, Castle Chambers, Clifford Street, York, YO1 9RG, there is a charge for this of £6 and applications must be in writing.

[emjalama]

thankyou I do not know who the executor was but will send to the probate office. To be honest we are worried that my ex brother in law may have been executor and cashed the accounts. We do hope not , Is there any way of finding out about lost accounts?

[tonywiltshire]

If you’re ex BiL was executor and sole beneficiary he may well be taking from the estate, though he would be wise to wait for 6 months from probate, I would be surprised if the deceased did not make arrangements for his spouse who may have the right to challenge the will, but this should be done within 6 months of the grant of probate.

[maclarencat]

Unfortunately his wife is quite confused and she does have money of her own so isnt that concerned but she is my father in laws 2nd wife and not the childrens grandma. The house belonged to her anyway from before they married and he may have thought he didnt need to provide for her. We believe there were maybe well over 100k in the accounts bot ex bil only gave her 5k . her solicitor advised her to take action against him but she doesnt want to as he is late husbands son. I just dont want my children to lose their money as they have always known about the accounts and that is why they never got presents for birthdays and christmas and were to receive the accounts on their 17th birthday for to buy their 1st cars.

[maclarencat]

Sorry thats confusing I am using my Mums computer!