u/throwaway_edn26

Hi

Throw away account for obvious reasons.

My father passed away earlier this year, my mother passed away a few years earlier. As he was the last parent, I now find myself in an unfamiliar situation of dealing with IHT but no information to understand my position and responsibility.

My father was born in Pakistan and came to the UK in the late 70's. He had land ownership, property and rental income in Pakistan at the time of his passing. In the UK he lived in a property alone that has his name one jointly with my brother, and money in UK bank accounts.

I have three older siblings (two brothers and sister) and a younger sister. My older sister married a cousin from Pakistan who is very tight with my brothers.

Before she passed mother said (in front of all my siblings) that my share of any inheritance should come from the UK house and bank monies only, the wealth in Pakistan to be split between my siblings.

I have not been made aware if any of my siblings has come forward to become an executor of the estate. If someone has taken the role I have not been informed of any decisions.

• The house my father lived in was joint name with an older brother. my other brother claims it was my father's in name only and he made the money for the other 50% so really it is his. My sister has moved into the house without any formal discussion/agreement with me and looking to buy from my brothers. I assume they are avoid this being considered part of the estate.
• I have been made aware that last year my brother tried to convince my dad to remove money from the banks so not subject to IHT. He claimed my dad did not want to do it, but then I heard from my older sister she accompanied him to bank and multiple smaller amount withdrawals were made. These withdrawals would have been different to the regular pattern in previous years. My older sister then asked me to come to the house to get my share, which I declined.
• My brother likely sorted out my fathers affairs and has probably never declared any oversees assets. He is in private discussions with people in Pakistan to sell of and redistribute any assets to avoid being caught.
• My older brother had a Pakistan based joint bank account with my father which I have account/sort number to. I don't this this has been declared to the UK and I think he has taken full control of this.
• The family of my brother-in-law ran (still run likely) businesses from a building my father paid and owned. I don't know where this income is going and what has happened with past income. I doubt it was declared by my brother previously and now been hidden.

I have

• reported situation to HMRC via online submission and not been contacted yet.
• spoke to the local Sheriff Court indicating meddling of estate without an executor and I've been told they can't to anything and only deal with process. I read online they can assign an executor but no one has contacted me
• spoke to someone at the local police station and they say it's a civil matter and I need to get a lawyer but not do anything else.

I am concerned that all three siblings are taking matters into their own control and may drag my name into the mess, or act against me with combined testimony that I arranged meddling.

What else can I do to

• highlight what I believe to be fraudulent behaviour, theft and tax avoidance.
• protect myself from being associated with actions.

Any help much appreciated