Inheritance - who gets the money?

I watched some of it, until my daughter and grandchildren rang from New Zealand. What I saw was interesting.

What channel was it on, @crazyH ?

*It's on Channel 5 Sunday Nights 9PM. a docu.

Inheritance Wars.

There have been several threads on this forum involving warring siblings or other relatives, usually we only hear one side of the story. There is nothing like money to bring out the worst in people, very often a lot of money ends up in lawyers pockets, sometimes most of it.

last nights case was about two sons who lost out to an adopted son.

It was very interesting wasn't it lemsip and I think a lot of people who watch, will be reading through their wills to make sure everything's in order.

We were shocked that the case of the two brothers actually went as far as the Supreme Court when it was only £70,000 they were talking about and then losing out despite twice going to the High Court and winning!

I know on here that when we discuss things like POA, Wills etc some people say they would rather pay a solicitor because they know what they’re doing.

Often they DON’T! in this case the solicitor got the parents to sign the wrong Wills which caused all this mess.

I hired a solicitor to sort out my will and POA, the will is done but five months on I have not received any communication about the POA. I have tried getting in touch but they will not respond to my requests for updates.

You should chase that up Harrigran
I wrote my will and set up poa during lockdown after DH had died without leaving one.
I had reason to phone my solicitor recently about something else and she told me I hadn't signed the documents.
Apparently because all our meetings were on zoom at that time, my signature wasn't witnessed properly and might not be valid
Thanks for the reminder to get that sorted.

As for inheritance: it's a minefield and here in Scotland it's a bit different.
An acquaintance died wanting to leave her house to her god daughter as there were no DC.
Under Scottish law, unless you specifically leave a clause to say otherwise, your spouse inherits everything.
She had been estranged from her alcoholic DH for years but lo and behold he gets the house

So what I gathered is. No matter what/who you put in your will, it can be contested and that person can end up claiming everything. As it showed even in the Supreme Court.
I did watch the programme.

Nothing seems to be straight forward even with the best Will done at the solicitors' does make you wonder .

harrigran

I hired a solicitor to sort out my will and POA, the will is done but five months on I have not received any communication about the POA. I have tried getting in touch but they will not respond to my requests for updates.

I’ve been chasing for 3 yrs and the solicitors are still making excuses, no complications just a few investments and a house.
Too many holidays spending the outrageous rates they charge!.

Katie59

harrigran

I hired a solicitor to sort out my will and POA, the will is done but five months on I have not received any communication about the POA. I have tried getting in touch but they will not respond to my requests for updates.

I’ve been chasing for 3 yrs and the solicitors are still making excuses, no complications just a few investments and a house.
Too many holidays spending the outrageous rates they charge!.

katie59. I am sure you could have done the POA yourself on the Gov website. It is honestly so straightforward and each of the two parts cost about £85. Solicitors charge About £1500. My Mum’s came back from the Office of the Public Guardian in about 6 weeks and was invaluable to us.

What's a POA, please?

I did Pof A for myself and OH for money and for health and welfare. It was not difficult - the website leads you through it step by step. As long as you get each item signed in its right order, then there is no problem. Also, even though we had savings, I was able to get a discount on the fee on the basis of income (they ignore savings) so it was very cheap.

Power of Attorney Ali

Ali08

What's a POA, please?

Power of Attorney. It is ensuring your wishes are taken care of while you are alive. When you die it ceases. Some people say a POA is now more important than a Will.

I helped my Mum do hers when she was diagnosed with Alzheimers at the suggestion of the doctor who assessed her.

She wanted me to make all decisions about her health and welfare as well and Property and Finance. So as she deteriorated I was able to liaise with GP, hospital, nurses etc. I was also able to pay her bills, deal with correspondence, see through the sale of her house and find the very best care home for her after viewing 14.

We could not have managed without it.

lemsip

last nights case was about two sons who lost out to an adopted son.

How did that work lemsip surely an adopted child has the same rights as biological children.

Primrose53

Katie59

harrigran

I hired a solicitor to sort out my will and POA, the will is done but five months on I have not received any communication about the POA. I have tried getting in touch but they will not respond to my requests for updates.

I’ve been chasing for 3 yrs and the solicitors are still making excuses, no complications just a few investments and a house.
Too many holidays spending the outrageous rates they charge!.

katie59. I am sure you could have done the POA yourself on the Gov website. It is honestly so straightforward and each of the two parts cost about £85. Solicitors charge About £1500. My Mum’s came back from the Office of the Public Guardian in about 6 weeks and was invaluable to us.

My OH said that but sister and husband wanted it done “properly”, hence the solicitor.
Lord knows what the bill will be, sister has had her comeuppance because it’s taken so long and they need the money. There’s no real animosity it’s just nice to see her “smart ass” husband proved wrong.

I didn't pay the solicitor too much for the will, and the POA. It was less than £500.
It gives me peace of mind knowing it's all correct and the DC have copies.

Katie59

Primrose53

Katie59

harrigran

I hired a solicitor to sort out my will and POA, the will is done but five months on I have not received any communication about the POA. I have tried getting in touch but they will not respond to my requests for updates.

I’ve been chasing for 3 yrs and the solicitors are still making excuses, no complications just a few investments and a house.
Too many holidays spending the outrageous rates they charge!.

katie59. I am sure you could have done the POA yourself on the Gov website. It is honestly so straightforward and each of the two parts cost about £85. Solicitors charge About £1500. My Mum’s came back from the Office of the Public Guardian in about 6 weeks and was invaluable to us.

My OH said that but sister and husband wanted it done “properly”, hence the solicitor.
Lord knows what the bill will be, sister has had her comeuppance because it’s taken so long and they need the money. There’s no real animosity it’s just nice to see her “smart ass” husband proved wrong.

That made me laugh! 🤣

it’s usually people who don’t do any research who come out with stuff like “we want it done properly”.

It IS done properly. Whether you complete the paperwork or the solicitor does, it still goes off to the Office of the Public Guardian and gets registered and is returned to you.

I imagine most of us on here can fill in boxes without making a mess and sign in squares without going over the edges because that is really all it is. You have to provide all the personal info like DOB, address, marital status etc so you might as well put it on the form yourself rather than pay a solicitor to put in info you have given them!

Let us know when you get it and what the solicitor charges.

I have just watched this on catch up. I understood that the 3rd son was not formally adopted, but he did live with the two parents for years and became their carer.
It is so sad thought that the three men could not come to some arrangement, before the case went to court and ended up in the Supreme Court . The two brothers did not have to pay any fees, as they were covered by some sort of insurance that Solicitors have.
We have very recently updated our POA's , with the Health and Welfare part added. Our solicitor has sent them to the Office of the Public Guardian, and said that it could be months before we hear that registration has taken place.

Grammaretto

I didn't pay the solicitor too much for the will, and the POA. It was less than £500.
It gives me peace of mind knowing it's all correct and the DC have copies.

Are you sure? That seems very cheap. When I was looking around it was roughly £1500 for one person for both parts. Double that for a couple. Then your Will on top of that. Ours is a bit complicated but it’s going to be around £750 plus VAT.
grammaretto

sodapop

lemsip

last nights case was about two sons who lost out to an adopted son.

How did that work lemsip surely an adopted child has the same rights as biological children.

what you asking me for?

watch it and see!