Inheritance - time limit on claiming investments
Discussion
Dear all,
I have a query that has just come to light and hope some PH collective wisdom will be able to assist. Not sure whether to post this here or in a legal section.
To summarise, a relative of mine passed away in 2003. Not wishing to speak ill of the dead, but their affairs were not kept in order by any means, and a surviving relative took on the unenviable task of obtaining probate / executing the will. I did try to persuade said surviving relative at the time that it would be prudent to appoint a solicitor to handle this, but in the interests of family politics it was agreed said surviving relative would handle these matters. This process took the best part of 2.5 years.
Fast forward to 2014, it has recently come to light that there was an investment in the form of a fund / funds held by the deceased that none of the family were aware of between the bereavement and settlement of the will. This investment therefore went unclaimed. I have no idea of the sum involved, but can't imagine it would be much.
My question is: after so much time has elapsed, are the surviving relatives entitled to claim this outstanding investment, and if so, how would the estate go about doing so? As explained, I doubt it is of much financial worth, but it is bothering me that there is still a loose end unresolved so long after our bereavement.
Thanks in advance for your input on the matter.
I have a query that has just come to light and hope some PH collective wisdom will be able to assist. Not sure whether to post this here or in a legal section.
To summarise, a relative of mine passed away in 2003. Not wishing to speak ill of the dead, but their affairs were not kept in order by any means, and a surviving relative took on the unenviable task of obtaining probate / executing the will. I did try to persuade said surviving relative at the time that it would be prudent to appoint a solicitor to handle this, but in the interests of family politics it was agreed said surviving relative would handle these matters. This process took the best part of 2.5 years.
Fast forward to 2014, it has recently come to light that there was an investment in the form of a fund / funds held by the deceased that none of the family were aware of between the bereavement and settlement of the will. This investment therefore went unclaimed. I have no idea of the sum involved, but can't imagine it would be much.
My question is: after so much time has elapsed, are the surviving relatives entitled to claim this outstanding investment, and if so, how would the estate go about doing so? As explained, I doubt it is of much financial worth, but it is bothering me that there is still a loose end unresolved so long after our bereavement.
Thanks in advance for your input on the matter.
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