Hi All,
I've a mother and father who both live in Western Australia. My father has remarried, and currently owns at least two properties with his second wife. We are rarely in contact and the relationship is strained, not least due to the nature of the woman he remarried to. Suffice to say she would do what she can to ensure that she maximises whatever he may leave behind for her family and minimise whatever I may be due. This was made all too clear in my last visit to them a few years ago.
I'm no legal expert, but given my limited life experience I have learnt that sometimes if you miss time critical events in certain circumstances, then you can pay a severe price further down the road that you could have avoided had you been clued up as to how to act in the moment that the event occurred. I've not been able to get a clear answer from his as to whether he's planning to leave me anything, and I don't even want to ask because I was more concerned about demonstrating an interest in re-bonding for the sake of the relationship whilst he's still mentally functioning. But let's be realistic, given his advanced age, and attitude to re-establishing meaningful contact, there's a good chance that in the next few years I'll get that awful call advising the news.
What I want to know is how I should act when that news comes in. Would there be any time critical steps I should take following his death to ensure I don't miss out on anything he may have intended for me to inherit? Should I be asking for any documents, or proof of the will if he has not provided me one beforehand? Should I fly across to WA to be present for anything that might reveal critical information that might then allow me to pursue an entitlement I might otherwise be unaware of?
Thanks in advance for any advice as I've not even been to a funeral yet, and so have little info or advice as to how this might play out.
I've a mother and father who both live in Western Australia. My father has remarried, and currently owns at least two properties with his second wife. We are rarely in contact and the relationship is strained, not least due to the nature of the woman he remarried to. Suffice to say she would do what she can to ensure that she maximises whatever he may leave behind for her family and minimise whatever I may be due. This was made all too clear in my last visit to them a few years ago.
I'm no legal expert, but given my limited life experience I have learnt that sometimes if you miss time critical events in certain circumstances, then you can pay a severe price further down the road that you could have avoided had you been clued up as to how to act in the moment that the event occurred. I've not been able to get a clear answer from his as to whether he's planning to leave me anything, and I don't even want to ask because I was more concerned about demonstrating an interest in re-bonding for the sake of the relationship whilst he's still mentally functioning. But let's be realistic, given his advanced age, and attitude to re-establishing meaningful contact, there's a good chance that in the next few years I'll get that awful call advising the news.
What I want to know is how I should act when that news comes in. Would there be any time critical steps I should take following his death to ensure I don't miss out on anything he may have intended for me to inherit? Should I be asking for any documents, or proof of the will if he has not provided me one beforehand? Should I fly across to WA to be present for anything that might reveal critical information that might then allow me to pursue an entitlement I might otherwise be unaware of?
Thanks in advance for any advice as I've not even been to a funeral yet, and so have little info or advice as to how this might play out.