Anyone done DIY Probate

Savvy_Sue

billieboy wrote: »

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.

:eek: They are trying it on! My brother THOUGHT we'd have to do that one, and was dreading it, but when he looked properly it's only a four page job if you're under the threshhold.

Yup, use your friend, she knows you, she wouldn't tell you it was simple if it wasn't (because she'd be touting for business!)

And I'm sorry for your loss. Remember, this doesn't have to be done in a rush. We took 6 months, again on a straightforward will, but then no-one was desperate for the money.

Starrystarrynight

I managed to sort probate after my Mam died, despite being very nervous about it. The best advice I can offer is to read all the guidance notes that come with the Probate and HMRC forms very carefully and keep referring back to them as you complete the forms.

billieboy_2

Thanks Savvy_Sue (I'm a Sue as well, despite my username:)). We have a house to dispose of as well but I'm not going to rush anything. I'm going to wait until after the funeral to really get down to it and, like your situation, no-one is desperate. I did the conveyancing on selling one house and buying another years ago and that was before the days of the internet! So with all the help available we should be okay. This thread has given me confidence anyway :beer:.

CRANKY40

I did probate myself when my husband died. The best advice I can give you is to get one of those folders with lots of compartments, and copy every form that you complete into it. It's not complicated, but it does help if you keep copies.

Helpful_soul

The complication arises mainly when it is the second death of a married couple. When the first death occurs, many assets (including the house) are usually in joint names, making it easier for a spouse to deal with a deceased's estate.

eco

Me and my sis did it when my mum died we had to sell her house, and it was 8 years ago, we really didn't have a clue what we were doing but got the forms and filled it in in pencil first double checked everything and it was sorted relatively quickly, I thought going to Leeds to get it signed off and get the certificate sorted would be daunting but it took about 15 mins and was really easy, go for it.

SailorSam

If there's anything you're not quite sure of the Probate Office is more than helpful, just give them a ring.
It's a Doddle.

SUESMITH_2

dead easy, my sister did my dads - the people in the probate office are very helpful. i would agree with the santander comment as they were so slow and basically useless. good luck with it all

katieowl_2

I'm in the middle of DIY probate ATM and haven't had any problems with the forms or paperwork so far. My probate interview is in a couple of weeks.

I do have a question though...several of the 'to do lists' that I have seen say that I have to put in 'Statutory Notices' to the London Gazette and a local paper.

A friend of a friend who is a solicitor, says yes I have to do this, so that any unknowns can come out of the woodwork. If I don't I am personally liable.

The sister of one of the beneficiaries, who works in a solicitors office says No... because there is a Will, and I know there are no debts etc. There is a bit of pressure there to release funds as they are in a spot ATM (aren't we all) I've had to stump up quite a bit personally as the pre-paid funeral plan didn't cover everything, then they decided it did, but they haven't managed to sort refunding me out yet - that is O/S on my Credit card! Plus Probate etc.

I'm in a quandry to be honest...I'd quite like this all sorted too, but there is no way I want personal responsibility for the amount of this estate if the will was contested.

There are no direct relatives (no dependants who could claim) the person concerned was in a care home for nearly five years and I was POA so I am very familiar with the finances of the estate. The will was drawn up by a solicitor, and is very clear and unambiguous.

I attempted to contact the only two people I knew who were distant family (just to let them know she had died, neither were beneficiaries) by recorded delivery letter, one came back as 'no longer at this address' and the other never collected her Recorded delivery letter from the post office. She'd not seen either of them for years.

Anyone got any advice for me?

Kate

Savvy_Sue

Well, what we did was to put the statutory notices in, but we did start distributing the estate before they had reached their time limit. We have kept some back as well. Ours is a five way equal split so maybe that's easier than if it was more complicated.

My co-executor is a bit more cautious than me, and was a bit reluctant to do this, but I asked my siblings if anyone was desperate for the money (no-one was) and explained about the stat. notices. All agreed that if anyone DID crawl out of the woodwork, they would repay anything they shouldn't have had.

In the event, all we have had is letters from people wanting to know if we want to sell the house, because they can offer a quick sale without having seen it.

BTW, for the OP, I would recommend getting a book about Probate, I would say this was a legitimate expense on the estate too! I know all the info is on t'internet, but even I am not always connected. I have the Which? guide and have found it great.