Forum - I have a big problem

I have a big problem

Thu, 03/02/2011 - 09:44 — Peter.J

My story starts off in December where unfortunately my father passed away. The lawyer said I could not be an executor because I am not a UK citizen, which I thought was strange but I did not contest, due to my father being on his death bed. My 90 year old grandfather and my step mother (she is the guardian of my little brother and sister and they are the other two beneficiaries) were made executors. So the will was drawn and signed, all above board and valid.

The reason for my post is that I am one of 5 beneficiaries. The bulk of the assets consist of 5 properties being held in a limited property holding company. The lawyer again said I could not be made a director of the business and again my grandfather and step mother were made directors. Throughout the whole process my grandfather has not wanted to get involved and has given my step mother full control to deal with everything. She said she would need to call him in the middle of the night to deal with matters and sign cheques etc.

My father was resigned and the new directors appointed but I don't know if I have been named as a shareholder on the articles of association or anything, how can I check? Now from what I can gather because she is the director and as a minority shareholder myself I can do virtually nothing about forcing her to sell some of the properties so I can get my share or obtain a buy out of my shares in the business.

She was living in one of the properties with my father but has now started to move into the most expensive property, which is worth about £2.5 million and accounts for about 50% of the company's assets. She says she wants to rent out the others to pay for the mortgage on her place. All the properties have mortgages for which a large proportion has been paid off. I currently live in the second most expensive but am eager to get back home. I am in a strange country, feel like everyone is against me and don't know what to do.

Can anyone give me a bit of advice?
Thanks in advance.