Intestacy rules

[Baldhead]

Anyone know anything about these rules?
My uncle died in February, his wife and son died several years ago and all his sisters have died, so his estate goes to his nephews and nieces.
I have more cousins then I could name, and it turns out one of them decided to tell the solicitor handling my late uncles estate that there was only 4 nephews and nieces, fortunately one of the 4 would not go along with this and, so I'm told informed the solicitor there are about 20 of us.
My sister gave the honest cousin our full names and addresses to pass on to the solicitor.
My sister has now rang me to say our inheritance has gone down from £3000 each to £1537.42 each, she gave me an in depth account of my late uncles finances, when I asked why the solicitor hasn't contacted us individually she said, it's probably to save money on postage or perhaps she's very busy, now in the past I have had a few dealings with solicitors and I've never met one who's too busy or indeed wanted to save me money.
I, along with another sister and our brother think there's a rabbit off, but how the hell can I find out the name of the solicitor handling our late uncles estate, he lived in Bradford and we live in Northumberland and Devon.
Doesn't a solicitor have to contact all beneficiaries if there is no will?
Why has one beneficiary been given an in depth account of our late uncles finances?

Baldhead

 

[MARK.B.]

I would think that you would all be contacted if only to confirm you do exist, to be honest it does sound a bit iffy to me,the solicitor would need your contact details in order to give you your share of the estate, which he would do not your relative.

 

[MMUK]

Maybe this beneficiary held power of attorney and dealt with finances while your uncle was alive? Assuming he was in no position to do so himself.

 

[gregmcateer]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can request a search of the register of deaths.
might be worth asking a local solicitor best process. (might cost you a bit, but would portentially double yer bucks).

Or just say, sod it, free money is free money and let any thieving ******* sit in his or her pile of ill-gotten gains.

Actually, I'd go for option 1.

Greg

PS, this ilnk may help;

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/probate/

 

[Chrispy]

I'm sure power of attorney dies with the deceased, it all gets handed over to the executers to deal with but if there is no will?

 

[Baldhead]

Maybe this beneficiary held power of attorney and dealt with finances while your uncle was alive? Assuming he was in no position to do so himself.

No one in the family had very much to do with our late uncle, apart from the cousin who forgot about all the other relatives, her address was found in his room when he died, the last time I saw him was at my mothers funeral (his sister) in 1986, like I've said he live in Bradford, all of us live in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and Devon.
My sister who is in contact with the cousin who has all the details is not too intelligent, she sees nothing wrong with how things have panned out, but until I find out who the solicitor is there's not a lot I can do.

Baldhead

 

[Baldhead]

I'm not 100% sure, but I think you can request a search of the register of deaths.
might be worth asking a local solicitor best process. (might cost you a bit, but would portentially double yer bucks).

Or just say, sod it, free money is free money and let any thieving ******* sit in his or her pile of ill-gotten gains.

Actually, I'd go for option 1.

Greg

PS, this ilnk may help;

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/for-the-public/common-legal-issues/probate/

Thanks for the link Greg.
The other side of the family has a couple of 'black sheep' one being the cousin who forgot the majority of us and the other is the one who is in contact with my sister! 10 months since his death and the solicitor has only contacted one nephew! I'm not interested in the money, but there's no way will I allow any of the other side to keep my share.

Baldhead

 

[Max Power]

If this highlights anything its the importance of leaving a will.
I intend anything I leave to go to my immediate family and failing that it will go to animal charities. Theres no way a pack of vultures I haven't seen in donkeys years will be circling around my estate.