Grand parent medals

[Simon Brooks]

Firstly apologies if this is posted in the wrong place

Long story short My mother is the last surviving of 4 sisters The eldest sister always had possession of their fathers war and service (navy) medals. Eldest sister died some years ago. Eldest sister only daughter took possession of all possessions when her mother died (no will in place) The question is how does one raise the subject of the fact that the medals should be passed to the last surviving sister. Answers, suggestions or feedback on a postcard please 😂

[Spare tyre]

It’s going to end in tears

[xx99xx]

Why 'should' the medals be passed to the last surviving sister? I know it would be nice if they were, but without wills suggesting otherwise, once in someone's possession they get passed down the same route as all the rest of that person's possessions. I.e. to the eldest's daughter.

Maybe just ask your cousin if she actually wants them? Does your mother want to own them or just see/touch them now and again, or know that they're being looked after?

[Riley Blue]

You may suggest it but unfortunately there's no reason why it should happen.

[bristolbaron]

Spare tyre said:

It’s going to end in tears

This.

[LargeRed]

someone is NOT going to be happy.

Family fight, no doubt.

[Cold]

So the granddaughter has got them, is that right? Is that such a bad thing?

[Simon Brooks]

Cold said:

So the granddaughter has got them, is that right? Is that such a bad thing?

That is correct. However there are 7 grandchildren but only one child of parent

[Dan_1981]

You could just ask her?

[Gareth79]

My grandmother solved this by donating my grandfather's medals to the corps museum. She kept the minatures, I'm not sure where they are now though, hmm...

Perhaps it could be suggested that they are donated to a relevant museum? That would ensure they don't end up lost/thrown away/ sold off in the future.

[Jim the Sunderer]

Offer her a grand for them.

[Drawweight]

xx99xx said:

Does your mother want to own them or just see/touch them now and again, or know that they're being looked after?

I’ve just been through one of those family squabbles over possessions and it’s a sad fact that it’s over stuff that nobody really wants but the other members of the family can’t be allowed to have them. Fortunately it’s in-laws so I’m not quite so involved.

If your cousin really wants the medals maybe have a quiet world with her and suggest that she ‘lends’ them to your mother and gets them back on her death.

[Andeh1]

Divide & conquer?

Split the medals up to those want them, everyone gets a moment to of the grandfather and less chance of them all ending up on antiques roadshow?

[Riley Blue]

When were the medals awarded? If WW2 they'll be unnamed and could have been anyone's. You could buy a duplicate set today and no one would be the wiser.

[omniflow]

When your mother dies (which will happen someday) who gets the medals then?

[Spare tyre]

Drawweight said:

xx99xx said:

Does your mother want to own them or just see/touch them now and again, or know that they're being looked after?

I’ve just been through one of those family squabbles over possessions and it’s a sad fact that it’s over stuff that nobody really wants but the other members of the family can’t be allowed to have them. Fortunately it’s in-laws so I’m not quite so involved.

If your cousin really wants the medals maybe have a quiet world with her and suggest that she ‘lends’ them to your mother and gets them back on her death.

My dad had all his mothers valuables in a box in the spare room waiting for the awkward day it had to be split up. Dads house got broken into and the box taken, he rang his two siblings with the news and they both confessed they were not happy, but relieved that they didn’t have to sort it and all that. My gran didn’t have much mind

[KrazyIvan]

xx99xx said:

Why 'should' the medals be passed to the last surviving sister?

Is there a reason you have not answered this question?

Beasuce when you suggest that your cousin gives up the medals to her aunt, this is going to be the 1st question she, understandably, is going to ask.

[Sheepshanks]

Was expecting this thread to be about medals for grandparents. Disappointed now.

[Evanivitch]

Does your mother want the medals or do you want the medals?

I'm guessing it's the latter.

[DanL]

What is the expectation for the distribution of the medals once the last remaining sister dies? You could set that out explicitly in her will, and request that in the interim the medals are passed to her as a keepsake in memory of her father?