Helping mum sort her funeral and will :(

Krystaltips

Novelli, I did probate on behalf of my Nan when my Grandad died a couple of years ago. What we found was a lot of people were happy with a telephone call to inform them of the death then a copy of the death certificate posted out. In the end we only had to go to probate for 1 bank account. The forms are easy enough to fill out and all you have to then do is take it to the office to get stamped. Yes it is a bit of a hassle but no way worth spending £500 on a solicitor for it...

Savvy_Sue

novelli, I am so sorry about your mum.

If your dad has been appointed as sole executor in your mum's will, you definitely don't have to use solicitors to get probate. While your dad will have to sign lots of letters, and ought to understand what they say, there's nothing to stop you or anyone else writing those letters for him. I am not sure what happens if an executor is unable or unwilling to act, but if he's not up to it, that's something to look into. localhero's advice to contact the local probate registry is the way forward. And again, someone can ask those questions on your dad's behalf. I know I'd be in bits if I had to make such phone calls, so would ask someone else to do it for me.

Baggysdad

The reason why probate is required - even if there is a Will, is that the courts confirm that the Will is legally valid and that the executor has been checked out - it also gives a window for anyone thinking of contesting the Will to act. I know this all may seem pointless when you dad is sole beneficiary and executor but any Institute holding your mothers money will know that they are safe paying it out to the executor once probate has been obtained because they know the courts have checked everything out.

I find many people panic at the thought of probate. They recall the time gran died without a Will and her estate was held up in probate for months / years and the solicitors bill was huge.

Probate where there is a Will is not technically difficult. Time consuming, yes, which is why legal bills tend to be huge, but difficult, no.

I am sure that, with your help, your father will be able to get probate without turning to a solicitor.

Here is a link to the Probate Service, which is a good starting point.

http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/civil/probate/applications.htm

One other tip. I find many people panic about paying the funeral bill. When it arrives, if you take the funeral bill into a bank where your mum has accounts, they will make out a cheque directly to the funeral director, even if you haven't yet got probate.

B