Promised Inheritance, no Will, Intestacy Rules apply so lose out!

[FF952]

Hello All my first post.

Long story but here goes:-

Circa 1990.. My Father (Mother deceased) lives in a house he owns solely.

His brother (my uncle, single, no issue) lives with him rent free but is running a Business from there.

2001. My Father makes his last Will and Testament and informs me that Uncle will inherit the house because thats where he lives and earns his living but promises me that upon on his death he will pass it on to me. I will inherit the residue of his Estate after the aforesaid Legacy to my Uncle.

2008 My Father dies. Uncle inherits the house, I inherit the residue.

2010 Uncle sells the house and downsizes to new property.

2010-2020 on several occasions Uncle promises to leave the newly bought property to me to fulfill my late Fathers wishes. He relates this to other members of close Family.

2020 Uncle dies

No Will can be found. Now under Intestacy Rules, the property will be sold and the proceeds shared amongst long nieces and nephews ( approx 16 in number).

My promised Inheritance is therefore greatly reduced.

Should I just accept it or are there any Legal routes I could pursue to realise my expected Inheritance.

Thanks in advance FF952

[des8]

If you were promised that you will receive something and you have relied upon this promise, you might have a claim if in the end you weren't left that legacy..
You would need to demonstrate there was a promise, and that you relied upon it and are now worse off because of your reliance upon it

[FF952]

Thanks DES8. Demonstrating the promise is the easy bit as there is an independent witness.

As for me relying on the promise or being worse off because of it is down to opinion I suppose.

I had planned my future with the knowledge that I would inherit a property that I could sell. This would have improved my/my childrens life.so much.

Conversely my Uncle lived rent/mortgage free which made his life so much better.

It just seems so unjust.

[des8]

It might be worth running your situation pass a solicitor who specialises in contentious probate
You could get an initial single fixed fee (or possibly even free) consultation to explore your options.

[FF952]

Thanks again DES8.

I am trying that route already.

Problem is the Solicitors I have approached already say they do not deal with contentious probate only Deeds of Family Arrangement which would be very difficult in my case. It’s very frustrating!

I live in the North East of England (Teesside) so any recommendations would be most welcome.

[paulajayne]

Look right on the forum for JUST BEAGLE = that may assist.

[des8]

or try here: https://solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk/

[FF952]

The Solicitors I’ve spoken to are quite willing to discuss Probate but as soon as you mention contentious they back off. I live in Middlesbrough maybe I should start looking in a big city like Newcastle

[des8]

Contentious probate is not something many solicitors will engage in.
Suggest you use a combination of the link I gave you together with intelligent use of Google "contentious probate solicitiors2