Inheritance advice needed
Discussion
A friend of mine's father has recently died suddenly and there is a question over who inherits what.
There was a solicitor's letter with a draft will leaving everything to her but the will was never signed and witnessed.
The only other relatives are two cousins in their late seventies who have not had contact with the father since childhood.
The complicated part is that my friends mother and father divorced shortly after she was born and the mother remarried. The new husband then legally adopted his step daughter so she could take his surname (he was a widower with a young child already).
The probate office have told my friend that she cannot act as executor because she is adopted out of the family and one of the cousins has taken the role.
As it stands, my friend is missing out on a substantial inheritance and both cousins (who don't need the money) will inherit, against the wishes of the deceased.
Does anyone have any idea whether this is worth contesting. Her solicitor is saying not.
There was a solicitor's letter with a draft will leaving everything to her but the will was never signed and witnessed.
The only other relatives are two cousins in their late seventies who have not had contact with the father since childhood.
The complicated part is that my friends mother and father divorced shortly after she was born and the mother remarried. The new husband then legally adopted his step daughter so she could take his surname (he was a widower with a young child already).
The probate office have told my friend that she cannot act as executor because she is adopted out of the family and one of the cousins has taken the role.
As it stands, my friend is missing out on a substantial inheritance and both cousins (who don't need the money) will inherit, against the wishes of the deceased.
Does anyone have any idea whether this is worth contesting. Her solicitor is saying not.
Yes, but apparently not from a legal stance.
Imagine if you gave a child up for adoption and they were brought up by another family, with no further contact. Would they have a claim on your estate in the event of your death?
Although my friend had contact, her solicitor believes that because she was adopted out, and there was effectively no will, she has no claim.
Imagine if you gave a child up for adoption and they were brought up by another family, with no further contact. Would they have a claim on your estate in the event of your death?
Although my friend had contact, her solicitor believes that because she was adopted out, and there was effectively no will, she has no claim.
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