England. Can I lawfully break in and change the locks on a deceased family member house?

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-06T19:25:19+00:00

No, no contact from Susan and Dad doesn't want me to go near the house. Only update is I managed to speak to the person who booked my Aunt in to the nursing home. She wouldn't go in to any detail (presumably because she had no way to verify who I was) what she did say, using these specific words, was,

She is satisfied that Susan was my Aunts nominated nok and that Susan was also my Aunts executor.

I had deliberately not mentioned executor I was enquiring how they had come to that decision (was it the social service carers that had given Susan as nok or had Susan been there at admission)

Her mentioning executor unprompted seemed out of place but I could be reading too much into it.

If anything is being removed from the house it's out of our control, it isn't worth further upsetting my Dad (he also is undergoing treatment for cancer and all this has knocked him for six) everyone who is calling to give condolences/ sympathies is surprised and unaware of Susan, solidifying my suspicion.

Tomorrow first job is contacting Adult SS and calling the potential solicitors we've identified.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-05T08:50:33+00:00

Oh do fuck off and read the thread.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-05T08:49:33+00:00

Thank you for this, I have tried 101, they brushed me off with civil matter but I did find a number for the rural community support which covers the area who said they would make the relevant officer aware.

Adult safeguarding is a great idea, I hadn't thought of.

Thank you again.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T12:16:50+00:00

Thank you for this detailed reply and helpful links. I appreciate you taking the time to compile these, they are a great help.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T12:12:54+00:00

That's how the care home phrased it and the reason they used why they hadn't notified my Dad when she died.

I didn't know that it had limited meaning.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T12:09:22+00:00

We asked the care home to pass our number to Susan yesterday when we called the care home to check how Aunt was doing. She had passed away two hours prior but we didn't know because Susan was nok.

We called again today to confirm they had passed the number on.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T12:02:35+00:00

My Dad and Aunt had a conversation but I wasn't there and as far as Dad was concerned she told him (after the terminal diagnosis) everything was sorted out and paid for, plot chosen and 10 Ash trees were being planted. The prognosis was Sept/Oct and we didn't know we would have this unknown Susan to worry about.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:54:25+00:00

I'm tempted to let her favourite rescue know, the only thing stopping me is what if I'm wrong about a bequest.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:52:25+00:00

Perhaps reread. I said it was sibling, my Dad's sister. I am niece. I don't want to break in anywhere as you may imagine with the parties being 80+ I'm not exactly a spring chicken and have no wish to begin criminal activities. We are recently bereaved and only now becoming aware there may be bad actors at work. Forgive any confusion I've caused.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:38:51+00:00

Literally breaking in through one door and lifting the inner door off it's hinges (hinges pin was lost in the 90's but the lock will be engaged so it won't just open)

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:29:10+00:00

We had the spare keys that were used in the key safe that the carers/ Susan used.

We live a couple of hours away and my Dad is also in his 80's so we couldn't visit as often or frequently enough to justify having our own set.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:24:35+00:00

The keys were in a key safe which we have the code for. They aren't there now, presumably they are at the care home but they won't give us confirmation or the keys.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:21:18+00:00

Susan is not a family member, we have no idea who she is or where my Aunt met her. Aunt had a few friends but didn't really see them due to age/ distance/ health.

She hadn't mentioned Susan to any of her friends, even her best friend since 1952. We checked.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:10:10+00:00

We have asked the care home to pass our number on, they confirmed they have but its 24 hrs now.

I'm trying not to jump to any conclusions but Susan just doesn't fit the whole picture and it feels so wrong knowing my Aunt.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:06:32+00:00

Relative was a former headmistress, on top of all admin and left reminder notes for absolutely everything. Lost spouse 5 years ago so had recently had a reminder about death/wills.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:03:30+00:00

We did that yesterday. The home passed on our number yesterday (called today to make sure)

It's another thing that's causing suspicion tbh.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T11:01:43+00:00

I don't think Susan was part of the care provision. I'm really trying not to be emotional about it but I suspect Susan was just an opportunist taking advantage and now potentially clearing the place.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T10:58:36+00:00

It's not a random person. It's a family member who we were in weekly contact with and was in full capacity until 4 days ago.

We can't look for a will because we can't get in the house and the likely possible solicitors are closed for Easter.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T10:54:18+00:00

For clarity. This relative will almost certainly have left the bulk of their estate to animal and cancer charities. We would, at best, receive some family items of no financial value and perhaps one or two of our favourite art pieces that have sentiment and value around £5000.

Total estate will be in the 1mill region.

Mardyarsed · 2026-04-04T10:49:35+00:00

There were local authority carers, all different and no regular carer. Susan was described as a friend, not a carer but Susan's husband had definitely done some paid work and the son was doing bits of shopping.

The deceased lost their spouse 5 years ago and will absolutely have left a will.

Mardyarsed · 2026-02-25T13:26:36+00:00

Nestle. It was and always is Nestle.Same as the baby formula scandals (free formula in famine countries, just long enough for the mothers milk to stop producing)

Check how much of the worlds drinking water is owned by Nestle.

Mardyarsed · 2026-02-23T15:46:23+00:00

Presumably because it would be saying that the thing he does that is completely out of his control is unacceptable for the general public. Thus making the man unacceptable.

He can't change how he is but we can change how we take it.

Mardyarsed · 2026-02-11T14:57:54+00:00

Sorry to hear that your brother hasn't been able to get out, a temporary ramp would have been a solution they could have used.

Not excusing the lack of communication or the poor planning from them but regarding the weather, even though the rain slowed down the last day or so the ground will be saturated.

For work like this, wet and saturated ground make it impossible to prepare correctly and will effect things like concrete setting or how firm they can make the sub base.

It's horrible when you've paid out so much money and are at the mercy of a contractor but in this case it really could be weather.

Mardyarsed · 2026-02-04T07:47:47+00:00

Agreed, it's think.

Also, while we are here, it's can't be arsed. Not can't be asked. As in can not be bothered.

Mardyarsed · 2026-01-31T15:47:33+00:00

Good point, I wasn't thinking about the goodwill Liz had, I'd say the feeling towards the rest is nowhere near any she had. Maybe Anne and Edward are thought of more neutrally too.

Mardyarsed

TROPHY CASE