do i need to investigate further? Farthers death 2 years ago

A question about : do i need to investigate further? Farthers death 2 years ago

I recently found out my Father passed away 2 years ago, nearly 3. I only found out as I was trying to get back in touch with him after about 8 years. his new wife took a distinct disliking to me so we agreed not to correspond.

ive searched online and cannot find a will on the gov site listed for him. there is an entry for her death in 2009 that says probate. he died in 2012. info from a neighbour suggests the step son (her son) is now living in the bungalow they used to live in.

I suppose my question is, as usual, do I have any claim on his estate, being as im his biological son?

Best answers:

• Probably not but you could get a copy of her will from the Probate Registry a copy of the deeds from the Land Registry.
  You may well find that the house was left to her son with father having the right to live there until his death.
• not 100% sure it was his, but he was the main income provider, so just assumed.
  already getting a copy of the will via a gov site.
• Are you in scotland as I think they have different inheritance rules to the rest of the uk.
• I can't advise on inheritance issues or wills but if the property was in their joint and/or then sole names then following their deaths someone would need to apply for probate (recorded will) or letters of administration (unrecorded will) if they wanted to change the registered ownership details for a property in England and Wales.
  BobQ has linked you to our online service where you should be able to check who is registered as the owner for the address. It costs Ј3 to view/download a copy of the register.
• No, not currently although we hope to make that available online in the future.
  If you need historical/previous information and you have a specific date in mind then you can Get historical title registers by post
  However often people are unsure of what date is the correct one so we usually ask people to contact us using our online contact form with the exact details re property/title number and what historical info they are after and we then check and advise what is available, how to apply and the cost involved. Cost is normally Ј7 per item e.g. register, deed, form
• ok got the register. my Dad is listed as the sole owner from the purchase date until present.
  how do I find out if there is a will? I tried the gov site and it doesn't show one.
  also before I dig an almighty hole, due to maybe 192 and the neighbour getting there wires crossed, and I find out hes still alive. is there a way to find out if he is in fact dead?
• thank you all. this has been a quite stressful few days, as although I did not have regular contact with my Dad, I still have memories as a child.
  I did a bit of lateral thinking and searched 2013 and 2011, and I have found a will for 2011 and a correct date of death. so I have applied for a copy of it.
  ive now received her will and it seems she left her estate to my Dad, or if he died earlier or didn't live 30 days past her death, to her step son.
• ok big screw up. the will I pulled is for someone else who has my dads first middle and last name and died the year before, whats the chances?
  anyway ill try and get the death certificate.
  is there a way to find out if there is a family solicitor? I think if I contact the step son ill get the blunt end of a stick, as I would think his Mum probably poisoned any views he had of me. ive never met him.
• ok update. apparently he did die in 2012. how do I sort this out without spending large amounts of money?
  I looked at applying for probate and that came with a Ј215 fee.
  I don't want to start spending that sort of money if they suddenly pop up with a will.
  ive phoned most of the solicitors in the area where they lived before and after they moved, and nothing.
• Hi
  https://www.gov.uk/find-persons-will
  Solicitors should be able to put out a request to others in the region asking if anyone has an unproved will.
  Am a bit confused??
  Did you actually find her will?
  If so, a good chance that his will would be done by the same firm?