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Can I Claim Money From Deceased Father's Bank Account?

By: Garry Crystal - Updated: 16 Apr 2020 | comments*Discuss
 
Inheritance Beneficiaries Time Limit

Q.

My grandfather died a while ago leaving a sum of money in one of the main high street banks. My father did not have the same name as my grandfather (he has his mother's name) but has a signed legal document stating that he is the only son.

Can he claim the money in this account and is there a time limit?

(A.B, 16 February 2009)

A.

Probate Researchers and Heirs

Every year in the UK thousands of people die without leaving a will. Probate researchers are used to match up heirs to the unclaimed estates when someone dies intestate. It should be a simple matter for probate researchers to prove who the rightful heirs to an inheritance are if there is documented proof available. The fact that your father has a signed legal document should actually make it easier to prove the relationship between father and son even though they had different surnames.

Your father’s legal signed document should make proving he has a right to any estate a much more simple process. Of course identification documents will still be required before any claim can be made. But these documents should simply be along the lines of birth lines or a passport. Researchers will be able to use this information to establish a claim. Your father should initially find out if there is an executor or if a will was actually made. Contacting the bank or your grandfather’s solicitor should be one of the first points of call.

Death and Primary Debts

There are some considerations to be taken into account with your grandfather’s estate. There may be primary debts that will need to be paid from your grandfather’s estate before any beneficiaries can be provided with any inheritance. If you grandfather did leave a will naming beneficiaries then this money cannot be paid out until primary debts have been paid. Primary debts will include mortgages, rent arrears, fuel bills, and hire purchase agreements.

There may also be other beneficiaries to be taken into account that your father is not aware of. If there are other beneficiaries then they may have an equal claim to the money in your grandfather’s bank account.

Time Limit to Claiming an Inheritance

There is a 12 year time limit when claiming an inheritance before the Treasury Department will take the money. The actual deadline is 30 years but this ultimate expiration period is at the discretion of the Treasury Department. For the first 12 years, claimants are able to actually also claim the interest that has been mounting on the money in the bank account. After this time limit has passed no interest will be paid on the money in the account.

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Jackie - 16-Apr-20 @ 5:48 PM
My Father died he left money in a bank but I don't know what bank.
none - 5-May-19 @ 2:43 AM
I lose my dad in 10 years ago and im the only child and only daughter and he left huge of money in his bank account without will stated and i want to claim the money now please What do I need to claim my late dad s money in the account kindly put me through please...
Mandy - 15-Jan-18 @ 6:05 AM
Thami - Your Question:
Good day I have a problem my father died in 1998 and he had another woman he got married to but she also died after my dad passed on,my dad was a policeman and don't know what to do because don't even know if he left a will for me or for my late stepmother ihave never got anything from my late dad and worst thing is even my dad brothers don't even care am like nothing introit of them no one wants to tell me anything concerning my late dad's will or anything he left for me please help me.

Our Response:
You can find a will via the gov.uk link here . Please also see Money Advice Service link here . I hope this helps.
UnclaimedFinances - 11-Jul-17 @ 10:06 AM
Good day I have a problem my father died in 1998 and he had another woman he got married to but she also died after my dad passed on,my dad was a policeman and don't know what to do because don't even know if he left a will for me or for my late stepmother ihave never got anything from my late dad and worst thing is even my dad brothers don't even care am like nothing introit of them no one wants to tell me anything concerning my late dad's will or anything he left for me please help me.
Thami - 10-Jul-17 @ 9:28 AM
My father died and I'm must get his money back his money was at home loans
Mphikzo - 30-May-17 @ 10:20 PM
sussy101 - Your Question:
I lose my dad in 10 years ago and im the only child and only daughter and he left huge of money in his bank account without will stated and I want to claim the money now please What do I need to claim my late dad s money in the account kindly put me through please

Our Response:
You can see more via the CAB link here, which should help answer your question.
UnclaimedFinances - 10-Apr-17 @ 11:58 AM
I lose my dad in 10 years ago and im the only child and only daughter and he left huge of money in his bank account without will stated and i want to claim the money now please What do I need to claim my late dad s money in the account kindly put me through please
sussy101 - 9-Apr-17 @ 3:33 PM
My mother passed away about 12 years ago my siblings split everything in The house that they could find umungst themselves only thingthey couldnot take was the house and bank Account that she left since now those things are on paper.and accounted for never the less what can I do to start the process to get the money out of the bank
Gala - 31-Jan-17 @ 1:41 AM
My mother just recently passed away but has over 30,000 pounds in two currents accounts . I know this because of the statements send to her place. Is there away way i can claim this money? I am her only son and need some assistance for the burial. Can you help??
Glaze - 25-Oct-15 @ 11:25 AM
My biological father passed away when I was 2... My mom passed away when I was 16 and that's when my sisters told me I had a different dad.. A few years later.. I am now 19 and my brother from my dads side t got in contactwith me over facebook and told me that my father might have left me money or something..But I don't know what to do now with this information or where I should go to confirm this? Does anyone have any information to help me?
miss dee - 3-Jun-15 @ 5:44 AM
My father died in the 1980's and we found no assets at all.We believe he had considerable funds as he was a careful saver.We have no idea where this money might be.His only bank account was empty.What might we do to trace any funds?
Tone - 30-Aug-11 @ 2:53 PM
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