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Hi,
My brother appears to refuse to accept our late mother's estate accounts. The reason is not entirely clear and he has never produced a coherent, logical statement or begun any legal proceedings, although it seems he believes some personal items were 'sold' by other family members without his permission. Long story, but hopefully the key points are:
Our father died first intestate; mother having to go into full time dementia care. Everything was joint, so passed to mother.
I applied for COP, and later, LOA, for mother; all siblings agreed to me doing so. I appointed a solicitor to carry these out, and paid approx. half the fees out of my own pocket. I communicated regularly, mostly in writing, keeping all up to date with proceedings, applications etc. I applied for all benefits, closed accounts, had outstanding bills paid etc. etc. Mother then died (also intestate) before the COP application was complete. I then volunteered to administrate the estate, again with no objection.
Some items had indeed been sold, with my agreement (as executor), and funds forwarded to the account with the solicitor set up for the purpose, bearing in mind that the care fees were quoted at around £20,000 per year, and any funds would go towards this bill. Parent's house was eventually sold and funds added to the estate.
Following numerous delaying tactics from my brother, all adding to the solicitor's fees, the accounts were drawn up, the necessary proof of ID produced by everyone else except the brother, and a truly exasperated solicitor by this time decided to distribute to everyone except him, and wash his hands of the whole business. The advice was that I open an account as 'Administrator of...' to which I am signatory, into which the brother's share could be paid, which I did, and which he can then receive if he ever decides he wants it.
Questions:
-How long can I realistically be expected to 'sit on' this account?
-This presumably forms part of my estate?
My brother appears to refuse to accept our late mother's estate accounts. The reason is not entirely clear and he has never produced a coherent, logical statement or begun any legal proceedings, although it seems he believes some personal items were 'sold' by other family members without his permission. Long story, but hopefully the key points are:
Our father died first intestate; mother having to go into full time dementia care. Everything was joint, so passed to mother.
I applied for COP, and later, LOA, for mother; all siblings agreed to me doing so. I appointed a solicitor to carry these out, and paid approx. half the fees out of my own pocket. I communicated regularly, mostly in writing, keeping all up to date with proceedings, applications etc. I applied for all benefits, closed accounts, had outstanding bills paid etc. etc. Mother then died (also intestate) before the COP application was complete. I then volunteered to administrate the estate, again with no objection.
Some items had indeed been sold, with my agreement (as executor), and funds forwarded to the account with the solicitor set up for the purpose, bearing in mind that the care fees were quoted at around £20,000 per year, and any funds would go towards this bill. Parent's house was eventually sold and funds added to the estate.
Following numerous delaying tactics from my brother, all adding to the solicitor's fees, the accounts were drawn up, the necessary proof of ID produced by everyone else except the brother, and a truly exasperated solicitor by this time decided to distribute to everyone except him, and wash his hands of the whole business. The advice was that I open an account as 'Administrator of...' to which I am signatory, into which the brother's share could be paid, which I did, and which he can then receive if he ever decides he wants it.
Questions:
-How long can I realistically be expected to 'sit on' this account?
-This presumably forms part of my estate?
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