My auntie died last year and left my cousin and I two items in her will. They’re of sentimental value only but we haven’t received them. We’ve written to the solicitor but had no reply.
Strictly speaking an executor should not distribute items bequeathed in a will until a grant of probate has been obtained and the opportunity has arisen to assess the deceased’s financial position. If there are debts outstanding and no money to pay them it could be that gifts to friends and relatives would have to be sold to raise cash. However if your items are without value it’s possible the executor will release them at this stage. Discuss this with other family members so they can bring it to the attention of the solicitor, who I presume was appointed executor of the will.