Anyone done DIY Probate

Terence123

Hi there I wondered if anyone had dealt with Probate without the help of a solicitor?
My mum died recently and everything is to be shared between us two children there is no will & no complications is there any reason why it should be so hard to do probate myself? the costs seem really high for a solicitor and it doesn't look to be too hard on the surface.
Any advice?
Thanks

There_Goes_Trouble

Funnily enough I was just talking to my Uncle about this tonight, he did probate when my Grandad died, he said it wasn't difficult and he found all the info he needed on the web.

shykins

i used to do the probate stuff at work and its pretty straightforward. there are lots of helpful booklets u can send off for or read online.

very basically u collect in everything worth anything, collect in everything that is owed to others and note it all down on a form. pay the debts and what is left is the net estate to be shared

as an aside i would make sure the rest of the family are happy with the way things are being dealt with, u wouldnt belvie the arguments probate can cause between families - not saying it would with yours but just something to think of

Hermia

I did it when my dad died and it's not too complicated at all. The only time I wouldn't do it if there is a chance of family conflicts. When my grandad died my mum used a solicitor. Her siblings are money-grabbing and lazy and they would have firstly expected her to do it all and then would have been paranoid that she was trying to do them out of money. Even with a solictor it was a nightmare!

One_Day_Rodney

You may find these links a help.............

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/Preparation/DG_10029799

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

Savvy_Sue

I've not long done it, with a will, and no it's not too bad at all if the estate is simple.

Next time may be more interesting, as there will be a house to clear and sell ...

Nixer

My mum did it when my dad died - you have to get letters of administration if there isn't a will. I think it was easy enough but it took about 6 months from when she started it off until probate was granted (due to there not being a will, it's much quicker when there is one).

getmore4less

It is relatively easy.

Get the forms and try to fill them in that will give you a good clue as to if you can do it and what info you need.

Start with PA1 from the courts service and IHT205 from the HMRC site.
(do the search for these you will find other stuff if you do which will help)
Do not under estimate the time needed if there are a few assets accounts to deal with. And check carefully if you can use the 205 and not need to do a full return

If any are Santander then it will take longer they are SLOW.

Any share accounts you can get prices online.

As long as you don't need to do the full IHT estate return it will be simpler.

Send the forms to the probate office they call you in and thats part one.

With the grant you can collect the money.
Might be easier to have an account for this, banks should do one for free, but you can just put stuff in your onw accounts and keep a spread sheet.


Don't forget the income tax for the year will need reviewing tell the decieced tax office and they will help you.

Premium bonds can be kept winning prices for a year, handy if you are allready at the max yourselfs.

Even a house transfer can be easy if you plan to keep one, just get the probate value right to try to avoid future taxes.


If you are hiiting IHT tax limits there may be some nill rate band transferable from your dads estate if they were married when/if he has died.

Terence123

Hi again thank you I am going to give it a go if I fail I suppose I will have to go back to the solicitor and grovel!!
Thanks again

Savvy_Sue

No grovelling required: you started the work but don't feel able to complete it. End of.

billieboy_2

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

No grovelling required: you started the work but don't feel able to complete it. End of.

That's exactly the way I feel. Mum died on Sunday and when I spoke to a solicitor friend of mine she said I could apply for probate myself, as the will is pretty straightforward and it's very unlikely there will be inheritance tax to pay. When I spoke to mum's solicitors who are holding the will they said they would charge 1% of the assets and .5% of the house value, plus between £185 and £250 an hour:eek:. They said there was a 40 page form for the revenue to fill out which is complicated and they wouldn't advise doing it yourself. So, I shall try doing it myself and if I get stuck I'll employ my friend to help me. I'm sure she wouldn't have suggested me doing it myself if it was that complicated.