Estate-Illegitimate Child

[Wings]

The conveyancing solicitor that acted for me on the purchase of a BTL, has contacted me to say that a solicitor acting for the illegitimate child of the deceased former owner of the BTL, requesting if I can search the Deeds, to see if there is a “Deed of Gift”, and if there is to forward the same.

Having now searched the Deeds, I have located a “Deed of Gift”, and I am uncomfortable in just forwarding the same to either my former conveyancing solicitor, or to an unidentified third party.

I am rather surprised that the request was made through the conveyancing solicitor, and not directly to me, since the transaction was a cash purchase.

My thoughts are that I should make further enquiries, possibly with the seller’s solicitor, seller of the BTL and perhaps family relatives etc. etc.,

Any advice would be appreciated

[mikeveal]

Get professional independent advice. ie NOT from your previous conveyancor who may have dropped the ball.

Worst case, If the previous vendor didn't have good title there could be trouble ahead.

More likely that the bd just wants a slice of the proceeds from the estate though.

IANAL. IANAC. IHNCWITA.

[TooMany2cvs]

Any paper deeds are irrelevant. They have exactly the same access to the Land Registry's information as you do. You bought it fair and square, and any beef they may have is with the seller.

Ignore them.