Can you receive an inheritance from a stranger?

It sounds like the perfect dream, a complete stranger gives you an inheritance and your life changes overnight. While it may sound like a dream this can happen!

However, before you get carried away. If you are told about an inheritance by a stranger, you should contact this reputable lawyer in Hervey Bay. They will assess the inheritance and ensure everything is legal and above board.

If you don’t use their services then you may find family members contesting your inheritance after you’ve received the funds. Equally, you may not see an inheritance as you have been caught in an inheritance scam.

Inheritance scamps are surprisingly common. You’ll be contacted by someone pretending to be a lawyer to tell you that you have inherited money from a stranger or distant, unknown, relative. There will be several reasons why it’s complicated to claim the funds but the lawyer will handle it all for you. All you have to do is pay them some money and give them your personal details.

You won’t see your money again, you won’t get an inheritance, and you may even become a victim of identity theft.

The truth is that anyone can leave their fortune to anyone. But, there will usually be a will and you won’t have to pay any money to get the inheritance.

However, the reality is that you usually know the person, unless you do have a long-lost relative with no immediate family of their own.

Inheriting From A Stranger

In most cases, the stranger is a non-family member. It is often someone you’ve connected with; You’ll have met them through some common hobby or even by random and simply stayed in touch, checking in on them regularly.

You’ll do this because of the bond of friendship without any intent to get financial gain. Of course, as they become frailer they will appreciate your visits more than ever. In many cases, you will mean more to them than family, who visit occasionally and are waiting for the inheritance.

The ‘stranger’ can donate you items in their lifetime or leave you anything and everything in a will. It’s completely legal.

Claiming Against An estate

Sometimes you are with someone but not married and have been looking after them. Without a will, you may not appear to have a claim against their estate. However, providing you can prove you lived with them for at least a year and ran a joint household you can make a claim against the estate. You’ll need to prove this to a judge and the decision is theirs. But, if you are also disabled and the deceased was looking after you, you’ll automatically be entitled to some of the estate.

It Does Happen

You may be surprised at how often an apparent stranger leaves their fortune to someone. The real motto of this is not to look for wealthy strangers but to make sure you look after your loved ones, you never know how little time you have with them.