How long can DWP investigate Pension credit and block the will being finalised?

[charol]

My dad who was totally honest died about 18 months ago. The DWP announced they had to investigate my dad's pension credit, that was 16 mths ago. They keep querying amounts moved from one account to another, all legit to pay for my mum's care home fees but DWP do not seem satisfied and this is dragging on and on. No beneficiary can get anything as the solicitors had to halt all work due to DWP. Money is devaluing and I am fed up with delay. Can I do anything or claim interest?

[grumpygraham]

The DWP cannot block distribution of the estate to the beneficiaries. But if they are able to make a valid claim on the estate,,after the money has been distributed then the executors become liable.

Incidentally the DWP are only entitled by law to know the deceased's assets at the time of death and not before. They may ask about prior information, but have no legal authority to do so. As the estate is being dealt with by solicitors there is no imperative upon them to bring things to a conclusion.

Whether DWP can make a valid claim seems unlikely.