Tricky situation - thoughts?

[agg221]

As I have mentioned before, I collect watches. Because of the age and scarcity of the types I collect, they often need work. I can do the basics but some of it is pretty specialist stuff, with only a few people in the country who are capable of doing it.

 

One of the people I knew quite well was self-employed and did some very specialist repair/remanufacturing work. He had done various things for me over the years and I asked if he would take on a particular job which nobody else was prepared to try. He agreed to give it a go. Unfortunately he then became very ill, with a long recovery time, taking nearly two years. Since nobody else was prepared to take it on, there was no reason to get the watch back as he could pick up on it when he got better. He recovered but was just getting on to it when he fell ill again. He had some experimental treatment which was working, but unfortunately it put a lot of stress on other organs and he died suddenly and unexpectedly last July.

 

I was in occasional contact and kept an eye on his website, so it was late September when I realised he had died. It having been a couple of months, I rang his mobile to see if it was still working and it was - his widow rang me back. I explained how sorry I was to hear the news and could she arrange to return the watch? She said she was asking people for a £10 note sent in an envelope to cover the return costs. I didn't feel this was quite right, as I felt the estate should be covering the costs of winding up the business such as returning customers' uncompleted projects, but I couldn't see a sensible alternative. Various things then took priority for me but I sent the £10 as requested, recorded delivery, and it was received and signed for in early December. Since then nothing. Having started ringing the number to check where things are there is no answer, or on the land line (both ring).

 

So that's where I am. She is obviously still very upset and grieving, but on the other hand she has my very rare and valuable watch. She also has the £10 she requested for its return which she has not actioned. What I want as an outcome is the return of my watch so that I can look for someone else to do the necessary work (or even do it myself if I absolutely have to).

 

What would be a reasonable course of action and timeframe do you reckon?

Alec

[Rich Rule]

Cant help with the last question but can you contact the solicitors dealing with the estate?

 

I am currently going through my old mans estate and it is in the hands of the solicitors.  It can take time even for a task that seems simple.  They have rules to follow.

 

Call them up and explain the situation, good luck.

[agg221]

14 minutes ago, Rich Rule said:

Cant help with the last question but can you contact the solicitors dealing with the estate?

 

I am currently going through my old mans estate and it is in the hands of the solicitors.  It can take time even for a task that seems simple.  They have rules to follow.

 

Call them up and explain the situation, good luck.

Thanks - I don't know who the solicitors would be, but it set me searching down a line and I think I should be able to find out whether probate has been granted. If so, that should have the name of the solicitor on it (although it looks like it will cost me another £10 to find out). If not, I can enter a standing search which will immediately notify me once it goes through, so that should give me the necessary information in the end (although it turns out the relevant government website is down at the moment!)

 

Cheers

 

Alec

[kevinjohnsonmbe]

A difficult situation. 
 

In your shoes I’d be inclined to instruct a solicitor to deal with it. 
 

Costly but keeps a respectful degree of separation. 

[daveatdave]

i might be totally wrong but these sort of things have to be published in one of the London papers (cant remember which one ) it will give you the name and address of the solicitor dealing with it 

if you have to use a solicitor you should get a free half hour consultation to start with to establish which way to proceed  

[Stubby]

Don't hold your breath re the grant of probate . Took over a year for my old Dads .  The estate accounts have only been finalized yesterday . So best part of 18 months to sort . 

[Khriss]

Nope, sadly would write it off, dealing with grief, massive paperwork n no doubt dozens of blokes like you asking. Not great outcome all round realy 🙁 K

[doobin]

25 minutes ago, Khriss said:

Nope, sadly would write it off, dealing with grief, massive paperwork n no doubt dozens of blokes like you asking. Not great outcome all round realy 🙁 K

That’s why administrators are appointed, you muppet. 

[woody paul]

Maybe best to ask administrator if she is OK, you don't know if she has passed away too. 

It's not easy but try and follow the correct root to get watch back. 

[agg221]

I won't be writing it off. Partly because it is several thousand pounds worth, partly because of the principle - mine was one of many and if she/the estate takes them that would be theft of something between £50k and £100k of other people's watches.

 

I would like to talk to the administrator but she isn't answering the phone. That leaves me with the option of writing (which she could equally ignore), doorstepping her which doesn't seem like the right thing under the circumstances, or formalising it through a solicitor. The solicitor route, whilst potentially expensive, is worth it under the circumstances I think.

 

Alec