Declining an inheritance

[BertieButton]

I have been left a small amount of money and some personal items by a relative but do not want to receive any of it, due to acrimony in the deceased's family .Is there some kind of document that I can get drawn up to exclude myself from the will,if so ,what is it called ? Can I get the solicitor dealing with the will to arrange it for me or do I need to get an independent solicitor? Also, can anyone tell me roughly how much this would be? Please note that I am in Scotland!! Many thanks in anticipation!!!

[barry1010]

If you don't accept it, it will go to your family. You could give it to a charity of your choice via your solicitor who could inform the family of the fact.

[BertieButton]

I am not bothered who gets what! I just want to formally extricate myself from all the hassle!

[brenda]

Good idea from Barry, but I would accept the inheritance and then give all away to the charity of your choice, thereby sticking 2 up at the family concerned.
If you allow them to profit by your decision to refuse the inheritance, they will rub their hands in glee , and think that you are a total pr*t.

Please don't let them win .!!!

[dzug]

It will cost you nothing to decline the inheritance - just write a letter to the solicitor dealing with the estate.

[BertieButton]

Thank you all. I didn't realise that it would be as simple as just a letter to decline an inheritance! I assumed that because lawyers were involved it would be complicated and costly! Although you may think it would be better to accept the money etc believe me, this is by FAR the easier option !!!

[bednobs]

agreed with bertie - my first instinct would be to accept it then give it away (perhaps to me!) But then that leaves him witht he problem of the family always saying "well he accepted the money ....."

[Schutzengel]

Bertie. Shouldn't you really be thinking about the person who thought enough of you to want you to have the small amount of money, and a few of their personal items. It was that person's wish that you should be remembered in their will. If you really don't want to have the small inheritance, then for the sake of the person who obviously held you in some regard, I would suggest (as has another poster), that you accept and then if you wish give it to a charity of your choice, and to blazes with the rest of the miserable members of the deceased's family. Good luck.