A person is grappling with the distribution of a modest £5,000 estate following the sudden death of their father earlier this year, who left no will. The individual described their father as an ethical person with a preference for forward planning, making the absence of a will seem "odd."
The deceased had two daughters from a previous relationship who were adopted by their mother's new husband. While one half-sister re-established contact with the father, the other did not wish to have a relationship with him.
The individual initially expected the estate to be split three ways but the lack of a will introduces uncertainty, particularly regarding intestacy laws which typically mean adopted biological children have no claim. The advice columnist, Eleanor Gordon-Smith, noted that the father had the opportunity to plan for his death and make his wishes explicit if he wanted his adopted daughters to receive part of the estate.