Estate of a female relative who died intestate in 1935 before her husband

[susieroe]

Peerhaps she had a life assurance policy which would pay out after her death. Her husband didn't get through too much of it so I would think they were a careful couple and possibly managed to save a little bit through their life.

[Deirdre784]

Thanks, never occurred to me that they had policies like that in the 1930s.

[Andrew Tarr]

Perhaps she had a life assurance policy which would pay out after her death. Her husband didn't get through too much of it so I would think they were a careful couple and possibly managed to save a little bit through their life.

Interesting suggestion.  Someone here can tell us how the value of such a policy is included in an estate, as it hasn't paid out at the time of death ?

[susieroe]

The value would be  calculated on notification of death for purposes of probate. The same as the value of a house which might not be sold until after probate is completed.

I would think these policies were commonly taken out - Friendly Societies? - , which people did worry about, often to pay funeral expenses.

[Andrew Tarr]

The interesting thing here is that life policies were more usually on the breadwinner's life in favour of a wife who was more likely to be bereaved, often being younger and likely to live longer anyway.  Many tales have centred on a wife's policy paying out after only a few years ... 

[Deirdre784]

Thanks all, interesting ideas 😀

[susieroe]

The interesting thing here is that life policies were more usually on the breadwinner's life in favour of a wife who was more likely to be bereaved, often being younger and likely to live longer anyway.  Many tales have centred on a wife's policy paying out after only a few years ... 

Good point, Andrew. Don't forget the black widows cases though...

[Tickettyboo]

I can't give an example as I don't currently have access to my files, but I know I have seen a fair few wills, long prior to this date, where bequests to daughters state that the amounts are to be for their sole use and not for any husband they may have at that time or in the future.
Not sure if it would apply in this case, but it must have been enforceable in some way prior to the 1882 Married Women's Property Act 1882?

Boo