Inheritance & Joint Tenancy

E

eoin

Guest
Unbeknown to me , my uncle a bachelor held the property that he lived in with my mother as joint tenants. This went back to my grandmothers will, when the property passed to both himself and my mother approx 10 yrs ago.
My uncle lived in the house all his life, my mother hasn't resided in the property in the last 40yrs.
My mothers only contribution to the property since obtaining joint tenancy has been to pay 50% share of the insurance.
Five years ago the property was flooded insurance did not cover flood damage and my uncle had to invest money into the property, approx 30k with my assistance, at the time he intimated to me that the house would be mine on his death.
On my uncles death there was a will made in which I was both executor and sole beneficary, on investigation I discovered that he held the property as a joint tenant and as such I have inherited nothing.
I have approached my mother to sell me the property as when she goes I forsee to many problems with siblings and can see the property being sold or else going to rack and ruin. Alas she refuses
Can I do anything to contest my mothers claim to the property or could someone recommend a good law firm which specialises in inheritance law
 
I don't think you have any recourse here. If the property was held jointly, it passed outside your uncles estate. You may have a potential claim for any monies you invested in the property but, overall, it does not sound good.

mf
 
there might be something there. The assent to your mother and uncle may not have reflected the will, people make mistakes, it is worth checking out. Your uncle may have done something severing the joint tennancy, did he refer to his half of the house in the will? I would get this looked at but you would need to gather as much paperwork as you can including the grandmother's probate. You will need a probate/property expert. Ask as many people as you can for personal recommendations. You could also look up www.step.ie which has a list of Irish solicitors with an additional probate and estates qualification.
 
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