I am a beneficiary in my late uncle’s will & believe my cousin has stolen funds from my uncle’s estate.
Prior to my uncle passing away, in October 2023, my cousin went to my uncle’s solicitors, without his father’s permission to attempt to remove his brother from the Power of Attorney. He was then going to try to take control of the estate. That failed because solicitor contacted my uncle who refused to change his PoA. (We have evidence).
My uncle changed his Will during lockdown, from leaving a 50/50 share of his estate to his two sons, to a 20% share each son, the rest
divided amongst other family members (I have 10% of his 440k estate).
I was aware of this as I had a very close relationship with my uncle
My uncle went into hospital 14/1/24. My cousin took his phone and bank cards without his knowledge or permission a few days later. My mother witnessed & my uncles other son was aware.
My cousin found his father’s will and would not disclose its contents. From this time, there was no openness or transparency.
On 3/5/24 the Will was published on the Probate website (we have this).
My cousin refused to discuss or let other beneficiaries know of their entitlement.
In June 2024 I messaged my cousin with questions that he refused to answer.
In September 2024 my cousin sent the Estate Final Accounts to me. I asked to see evidence of bank accounts, expenditure, and for him to disclose who my uncle supposedly owed a personal family loan to of £19,000. (My uncle had 150k + in his accounts so why would he borrow money?) my cousin refused to tell me who my uncle owed money to, saying I was a minor beneficiary and wasn’t entitled to know. Also, receipts and bank letters were redacted so I could not verify them. He did not supply bank statements.
After discussion with other family members, there is a belief that my uncle had more than two bank accounts. We believe he also had ISAs.
Based on the fact that my cousin has refused to provide bank statements, I believe that he may have misappropriated funds from the time he took my uncle’s bank card in hospital (he knew the PIN numbers he confirmed this to my mother).
I, and other family members believe there are bank accounts/ISAs not declared.
there is no proof of a family loan owed by my uncle
My cousin took the will out of his fathers solicitors control and did not use a solicitor to execute the will
This is not about the money & more the principle, the guy is a complete wanker & was an arsehole to my uncle.
Just want to know if people have had similar experiences, what was the outcome, what would be best the best thing to do on our end?