Changed Locks

[spondooley]

my friend passed away on 01/02/13,his only child,came and changed his locks to his property,is this legal.

[BlueToffee]

Has the property been left to his child? If so, then yes, as it now belongs to them.

[BlueToffee]

Furthermore, the child may not know how many key holders there are and wants to protect their late parent's possessions.

[spondooley]

HOW DO THEY KNOW IT IS LEFT TO THEM?? AV THEY SEEN THE WILL,

[factor-fiction]

Sorry to hear about your friend, spondooley.
Perhaps the only son is an executor. Do you have any reason to think he isn't? Was anyone else living in the property with your friend?

[spondooley]

Thanks,its his daughter by the way,,if there is anything to be known already about whos in will or not,she would know almost straight away,would she?? if so,this would give her leaverridege to act straight away on what she has done.No,he lived all alone,he had a partner of 20yrs+,not sure if she in will!!

[factor-fiction]

Okay, I'm not going to get involved in this - you clearly have strong feelings but it comes over as being aggressive towards people who are trying to help you here.

[abstibus]

I agree with bt. She is probably just trying to make sure the property is secure.

[spondooley]

Hey Thanks...No aggresion intended!! I appreciate your input,im just trying to get info for his partner,who has had her partner taken away,then someone comes along,which is always the case,makes things a lot more difficult,

[EDDIE51]

If the partner is not married to him and is not left the house in his will then the daughter as the next of kin will inherit it. But as has been said she may very well just be making certain it is secure, there may be other keys about.
Was the partner living in the house ? and is locked out ? if that is the case then the daughter is wrong to change the locks , otherwise I think it is above board.

[cassa333]

He lived alone but had a partner.

In other words he had a long term girlfriend that had her own property to live in.

If that is the case and she is not mentioned in the will then unless she has personal belongin gs in the house that she wants/needs back then the daughter is entitled to secure the property.

[mikey4444]

I am confused by your query spondooley. If this is your friends only child, than it is probable that this person is also his or her next-of-kin. We shouldn't this person change the locks if they want to ? Who knows who has copies of the keys ?

It would seem a very sensible thing to do.

[factor-fiction]

Presumably the child had a key so I assume the deceased wanted her to have access. The daughter will get probate unless a will is found which nominates another executor

[tonywiltshire]

The legal position will be that if your friend left a valid will naming his daughter as executor and beneficiary of his estate she will probably know the location of the will and if she is the owner of the property she is able to change the locks, if your friend did not leave a valid will he will have died Intestate. The first person to have a claim under the Laws of intestacy will be the spouse or civil partner of the deceased providing they live for at least 28 days, if there is no spouse or partner but there is issue (a daughter) they will inherit. If your late friend had a long term friend who believes she has a claim on the estate she should seek legal advice.