Recession drives unseemly money grabs.

Tough times are meaning an increase in unseemly money grabs with estranged family members working harder than ever to get their share of the estate, justified or not, when a relative dies.

Justine Clowes, of SAS Daniels LLP solicitors, which has offices in Stockport and Bramhall, says that while many families put dignity first when a loved one passes away, there are still the unscrupulous who appear out of the woodwork to try and snatch cash and assets.

“Should a person die without leaving a will, then their assets are at the mercy of rules which specifically state how the estate is to be divided, and, therefore, could see assets divided amongst surviving relatives rather than those perhaps closest and most deserving – and that, in many cases, is by no means what that person would have wanted,” said Justine.

“Most alarmingly, the current rules relating to intestacy – or not having a will – mean that the spouse or civil partner of the deceased may only receive a portion of the estate, and, much worse, if unmarried will get nothing at their time of death.

“It is therefore crucial to write a will or update your existing will, otherwise an unexpected death might well become very complicated, with assets being held in trust for protracted periods, the value reduced as a result of expensive disputes, or being spread round the rest of the family.

“Some of the most painful cases I have witnessed have involved people who have not written a will, and while their most deserving and closest relatives – sometimes those who have cared and sacrificed in their loved one’s final days – have received little, if anything, more undeserving but more ruthless relatives have snatched their slice of the estate.”

Writing a will, says Helen, is relatively fast and straightforward, and, in the grand scheme of things, at around £300, is relatively inexpensive.

“People tend to resist writing wills because it puts them in fear of their own mortality – but a good probate solicitor will quickly allow them to see sense and a massively positive side completely over-riding any fears they may have,” said Justine.

SAS Daniels LLP solicitors has offices in Stockport, Macclesfield, Chester, Congleton and Bramhall.

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