claiming a pecuniary legacy

[robbo_85]

Hi all,
I've had a look around the forum for this particularly issue but can't seem to find any thing so here goes. My sister and me have been left a pecuniary legacy by my great-grandfather who died 15 years ago (I was 5) which I'd like to claim. The executor of the will is my estranged grandad who I've had no contact with for as long as I can remember. However I now have his address, could it be as simple as sending a letter recorded delivery requesting he send a cheque?
My sister would prefer for him not to have her address, could I ask for hers to be sent to me?
Have any time limits I should be aware of expired before I contact him?
and any tips on wording the letter.
than you in advance for any help with this,
R

[ostell]

It could be that although the money is there it is being held in trust until you reach a specific age. For my granddaughter I specified in trust until she reached 25.

Get a copy of the will before you start chasing just to make sure

[EnglandPi]

You can get a copy of the will here https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills for a £1.50 fee

[robbo_85]

thanks for the reply, we have a copy of the will and it doesn't state any age requirements which makes me think that it should be passed on when I reach 18?

[EnglandPi]

Only ten more years to wait then? It wouldn’t hurt to ask the question.

[robbo_85]

sorry I wasn't clear, that should have said 'reached' 18, which passed 3 years ago

[ostell]

If that is the case then get writing

[robbo_85]

any tips on wording, do I have to give a minimum time to respond? 14/30 days? can I ask for the my sisters cheque to be sent to my address at the same time?
thanks for the help

[ostell]

I would write a general friendly letter at first asking about distributing the estate. If you get nowhere then start the heavy handed letters.

Do you have any idea of the sums involved?

[robbo_85]

yeah it isn't much in the grand scheme of things, £2000 each. does the amount affect anything?

[ostell]

No, wasn't interested in the amount and it doesn't matter how small or large it was.

If you go in hard, even though you feel like doing that, he might just refuse to talk to you and force you down the legal route and that can get expensive. You never know even though you were left a specific sum there might not have been anything left to give you anything. It happens.

So I would suggest a softly, softly approach first and see what the response is. You never know. Just a general friendly letter and politely ask about the legacy.

Try and find the value of the estate if you find you have to go in hard later

I believe it would be reasonable to expect interest on the sum

[robbo_85]

thanks so much, I think I'll do just that.