Now that he's gone

Bunpoots

Volunteer Host
Apr 1, 2016
7,342
0
Nottinghamshire
Sums it up really.

I'm not sure you expect to see your siblings much going forward anyway so nothing to lose.

I think using a solicitor sounds a good idea if it'll reduce any comeback. Don't forget to charge everything you can think of since your dad died into his estate as you are entitled to full expenses for all the clearing of the bungalow etc, you might have owned half, but your dad occupied it so clearing it is the cost of his estate.

I think you have 2 daughters so presumably you're family will get 3/7 as well which is good (and maybe give your daughters a house deposit?)

I certainly don’t expect to see anything of my brother but my sister might still stay in touch - as long as I don’t need any help in a crisis!!

So I suppose I should look out for our own interests .

As I’ve almost finished probate - just the house sale to go through now - would it be possible to hand it over to the solicitor to check and sign it off?
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
would it be possible to hand it over to the solicitor to check and sign it off?
Yes, of course - and it would cost less than if they had done everything.
Go and talk to one and find our how much they would charge.
The solicitor would transfer all the money to the inheritors, so it would come from them, not you.
 

Shedrech

Registered User
Dec 15, 2012
12,649
0
UK
hi @Bunpoots
I too think it a good idea to have a solicitor involved
I am estranged from my sibling, yet somehow they thought we would work together as executors ... I don't fully trust them, which I didn't say upfront, but did say I prefered that dad's solicitor sort out the estate (there was one issue that involved a trust and I was tired of dealing with everything) ... I stepped aside as executor so they could take on the responsibility as they agreed to have the solicitor deal ... I have reassurance that they wil have to have acted correctly
so involving a solicitor will stop any future attempts at comeback against you and will keep it all at a distance ... worth it, I decided, for the peace of mind

by the way, not all all implying you are not to be trusted, simply that having a professional involved acts as a buffer between the executors/beneficiaries

really glad you yourself have half the house ... that's what your dad wanted and ensured would happen so do not for a second consider sharing the proceeds with anyone other than your own nuclear family
 

Bunpoots

Volunteer Host
Apr 1, 2016
7,342
0
Nottinghamshire
Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I think I will hand over the probate to the solicitor and they can deal with that and the sale of the bungalow at the same time. There’s a trust involved in dad’s estate too so although the probate is straightforward the bungalow sale is a bit complicated. I’ve just been and signed the contract with the estate agent so bungalow goes on the market today.

I’ll be glad when it’s all over!
 

canary

Registered User
Feb 25, 2014
25,018
0
South coast
Make sure that you explain to the solicitor why you are doing this, so that they are aware of discontent among your siblings. Do not suggest that your half of the bungalow is in your dads estate, make sure they are aware that half of it belongs to you (I seem to remember that it came about because your mum wanted her half to go to you instead of to your dad when she died). I know that you will have all the paperwork because you had to get it for the LA. Give that paperwork to the solicitor.
 

KathrynAnne

Registered User
Jun 6, 2018
269
0
South Yorkshire
I just wanted to add my agreement with other posters. Your Dad made the decision to give you half the bungalow before he got dementia so you know that was his wish - you should definitely have it. It sounds like he was also sure about what he wanted when he made his final Will so you should fulfill his wishes for the remaining half. I also agree that engaging a solicitor for the probate on the sale of the property will be money well spent. Good luck with it all xxx
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,444
0
Kent
Hello @Bunpoots.

If there is likely to be any complications regarding the estate of your dad and there do seem to be, the cost of expert legal advice and action is money well spent. It takes all the responsibility and possible recrimination off your shoulders.
 

Kikki21

Registered User
Feb 27, 2016
2,270
0
East Midlands
I agree with what the others have said @Bunpoots & then you can’t be accused of any wrong doing by your siblings. And ****** off to your siblings about your half. Your half is your half, end of! Good luck with the sale!
 

Bunpoots

Volunteer Host
Apr 1, 2016
7,342
0
Nottinghamshire
I’ve had a rather stressful week after speaking with my siblings this weekend regarding dad’s estate. They went mad because only half of dad’s bungalow was included in the will. I’ve had a couple of anxiety attacks over it and still feel very stressed. Sister has calmed down a bit but I don’t want anything to do with bro after his behaviour while my dad was ill.

My brother took his own solicitor to dad’s home, after he’d been diagnosed with dementia and was probably early to mid stage but obviously dithery and indecisive, and got dad to change the will. I won’t go into details but dad was unhappy and a few weeks later insisted I took him to another solicitor and had a new will made.

I received an offer on the bungalow at the end of October and, after a bit of confusion due to the trust it was put under, eventually decided to use Dad’s solicitor who set the trust up to deal with the conveyancing.

This morning I went to see the solicitor to clarify the situation and ask them if they could prepare estate accounts, unfortunately they can’t as they didn’t sort everything from the beginning. But I was assured that my brother cannot challenge the will as probate was done over 6 months ago and he knew that dad had died...

But the big shock for him is going to be that dad put the bungalow in a discretionary trust and left it ALL to me. So now it’s up to me to decide who gets what...

Oh dear!

My dad was a wise man...but he does expect a lot of me :confused:
 

Grannie G

Volunteer Moderator
Apr 3, 2006
81,444
0
Kent
I doubt parents have any idea what they are leaving for their children to sort out following family disputes.
 

jugglingmum

Registered User
Jan 5, 2014
7,085
0
Chester
There is a discretionary trust on my OH's side of the family

OH's mum is a beneficiary if she is in need, so it is being left alone for now.

I think it should just be split between the 3 children - job done, but suspect even this would cause issues.

Can't risk putting details on here.

It is a big conundrum for you, I suspect that your siblings will think that because you have half already they should share the other half.

Best never to expect and then any money that comes is a bonus, is the way to view inheritance. And cut your cloth according to your means.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
138,138
Messages
1,993,272
Members
89,794
Latest member
Tori_75