Ok, so I have a fairly complicated question, here it goes.
My parents divorced when I was 13 and I went into care as both were alcoholics and unable to look after my three siblings and I. I see my mother sometimes, but not my father. I read in the local newspaper that my wealthy grandfather on my father's side had died, and assume his fortune has gone to my grandmother. Now, this had me thinking, she is old, and will die pretty soon too in which case the money will go to my father and my aunt. My father also lives in the mansion my grandmother now owns.
Sadly, my father is a very irresponsible and person; he is a gambler, an alcoholic, and drug addict and unemployed, claiming incapacity benefit, so exempt from having to pay child maintenance. That money will NOT be spent well and is not deserved. He was not an ideal parent either and has never contributed or wanted contact with us kids. He should hold a criminal record but always seemed to get off. My mother thinks this has something to do with my grandfather being a wealthy, influential man and an elite member of the free masons.
My question is, are my siblings and I entitled to anything? Can we contest when my grandmother dies? Or when my father dies, but I doubt there will be anything left then?
I wish to see a solicitor but it will cost, so any advice or experience will be much appreciated.
A little background info - My siblings and I are between 12 and 22. I am 20 and took my younger siblings out of care two years ago, this has prevented me from going to university but had to be done. We're in the UK.
Finally, the injustice of the situation is overwhelming from my perspective. There are four of us responsible youngsters who are and will be decent, law abiding citizens considering what we saw as children.
Answer by Danielle
More than likely since you father is a direct descendent of your grandfather then the money should be split equally between your grandfather's children if left that way in the will. More than likely your father will inherit unless your grandfather or grandmother leaves specific instructions to include his grandchildren in the will.
I would still seek out a lawyer in order to help you better understand the situation.
Good Luck
Answer by kateg
Hon, it is not a matter of whether money is deserved or how it will be spent. You assume the money went to your grandmother but you don't know whether there was a will in place. And you are concluding that you are entitled to some of the monies. It seems that you do not have contact with your grandmother, so considering what you have now learned about your grandfather, why don't you pay a condolence visit to your grandmother to reestablish contact. Do that, and go from there. You are not entitled to anything at this point, closest living relatives usually are beneficiaries, and I assume there are more relatives. You are saying injustice. From where it stands, you need to calm down and relax that attitude. While you have feelings about your parents, that money is not theirs now nor is it yours. You may have legal recourse should it come to that, but you four may not be the only ones. Without a will it would go to your father and any siblings he had, and again without a will upon their death, to their children.
Answer by Howard L
You only get something if your grandmother dies with a will and specifically leaves you something. If she has a will your father only gets what your grandmother leaves to him. Without a will the court will probably divide the assets between your father and his siblings. You can always contest a will, usually on the grounds that your grandmother was coerced or didn't know what she was doing when the will was made.
Answer by evilattorney
Unless left to you in a will, no estate money is due to adult children except from your parents if they have no spouses at the time of death.
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Orignal From: Inheritance - Am I entitled to anything?
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