My former son-in-law re-married after divorcing my daughter. He has now died without leaving a will, and it seems that his step-family will inherit his money while his two daughters from his first marriage will get nothing. Will they have any claim on his estate?
It depends how much money he left, and exactly when he died. The intestacy rules (for people who die without leaving a will) changed on October 1st this year. If your former son-in-law left more than £250,000 this will be important. Under the new rules his wife will receive the first £250,000 and half of the remainder, with his children (including your granddaughters) sharing the other half. Prior to October 1st the wife would only have held a life interest in half of the remainder, see a solicitor.