Original copy of will - lost in post

CaptainAmerica

nom_de_plume wrote: »

Take the will to any solicitors and ask them to make a certified copy of it. This will be a photocopy with each page signed and stamped by a solicitor. This should be acceptable if the original goes astray.

Completely agree with nom de plume, get a fully certified copy done before posting the original anywhere.

dzug1

steveky wrote: »

But will the probate service accept an unsigned will even with a proof of posting for the original package which included the original signed will, I cant believe one has never been lost in the post at some point

They have the authority to do so but it may mean an expensive legal battle before they will

A certified copy will reduce - but probably not eliminate completely - that legal battle


One of the RM special delivery services offers (for a fee) consequential loss compensation - though I'm not sure if that only applies to late delivery rather than complete non-delivery

madbadrob

I would send it special delivery. Will cost you more but it is tracked at every point along the way. Special delivery will compensate you for this if it is lost. When I worked there Special Delivery items were rarely lost. They are scanned at every sorting office on and off the lorries and again within an hour of the post man getting back to the office the signatures are uploaded and online so you can see that they have been received. Recorded delivery only get a signature on completion of delivery and do not travel secured. They are sorted with the rest of the mail and you pay an extra 60 odd pence for them to get a signature. Compensation is a pain in the !!!! to get for these as well.

Rob

loubel

steveky wrote: »

But will the probate service accept an unsigned will even with a proof of posting for the original package which included the original signed will, I cant believe one has never been lost in the post at some point

It happens quite a lot. If the original is lost then you have to apply for permission to prove a photocopy until the original is found. You have to give a sworn statement setting out when the original was last seen and the circumstances of the loss. You should absolutely make sure that you take copies of the Will before you send it anywhere and I would agree that Special Delivery would be more appropriate than Recorded.

Mojisola

steveky wrote: »

Probably a stupid question but what would/could you do if your original will got lost in the post on its way to the probate office, even though it is sent recorded delivery

If you're really anxious about it, you could ask a solicitor to do a certified copy which should carry more weight than just a photocopy if the original gets lost.