any way to see the will or estate?

just_a_name

*I'm a long-time MSE poster and replier but have made a new ID just for the purpose of this thread*

My father remarried over 35 years ago, and my step-mother's parents were like grandparents to us and we were fond of them. I'm now in my early 40's.

When my step-grandmother passed away in August 2011 she had a small estate, as their main asset (the house) passed to her husband, my step-grandfather. My younger sister & I weren't expecting anything but were remembered in her will as her grandchildren (even though we weren't blood relatives we were her first 'grandchildren' to come along).

We felt this was very kind of her, but it was her solicitor who wrote to tell us of this, my step-mother never said a word to us about it.

My step-grandfather then died in August 2012, and I gather the house was sold and everything wound up.

I must stress that we do not expect anything but I'm just a bit suspicious that my step-mother (who lived very close and may have been appointed executor if SGF left a will) may have neglected to pay anything that may have been left to me & my sister. It's now been over a year since the house was sold etc.

She has 'past form' in this respect and has basically begrudged every penny ever spent to bring us up, or given to us since by my father. SM & Dad have two children of their own.

It's not something I can openly talk about with them as it may well result in further distancing between us and my Dad which I'd like to avoid. It's a bit sad, considering that my SGM & SGF were nice people, and very welcoming to us as children when we visited, and as said before, we were very fond of each other.

Is there any way to view a copy of a will or probate(?) I am very sorry, I do not have any idea of the proper terminology really.

Many thanks & I hope the situation makes sense.

Crabapple

You can apply to get a copy of a Will from the Probate Registry for a small fee.

https://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/family-history

dzug1

You can buy a copy of the will and probate document from the Probate Office - assuming it went through Probate. If there was no will Letters of Administration may have been taken out - again you can buy a copy


http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/copies-of-grants-wills




Commercial firms can also do it for you but charge more

just_a_name

Thank you very much for the swift replies.

I should be able to do this although having the full name (I never knew if my SGF had a middle name, he wasn't talkative about such things) and date of death might be a problem. We weren't told until a day and a half later, and I didn't write the exact date down, which is totally my fault

madbadrob

Just you can view the up to date GRO indexes at a number of places across the country. Manchester archives Birmingham Archives Newcastle archives National archives being 4 of them. That will give you the death month and year. This would be enough for the Probate registry to do a search for you. As a house was involved in the second death probate should have been required. I say should have but that is if the house wasnt signed over to anyone prior to death or another person added as Joint tenants

Rob

just_a_name

My sincerest hanks to you all for the excellent advice.

I've printed off the standing search form (just in case probate hasn't been granted yet) and sent it off with my £6.

DigForVictory

Interesting situation.

If there is anything to find, you may have the lumpy choice between holding step-mother to account for any inheritance due and ongoing access to/good relations with Dad.

Hoping there is a good outcome to this, for you all.

just_a_name

To update this thread - I sent my form and fee off to the Probate office towards the end of April and it took almost 6 weeks for them to reply and confirm a 6 month standing search.

As I had the exact address, week & year of death and included and spelling variations of my deceased SGF's first name I am hopeful that they will find his estate documents.

I have heard nothing yet, with 5 months already gone - my SGF passed away in August 2012 - and am rather perplexed. Is the probate office usually very slow?

PippiShortsock

As of a few days ago, anyone can search the official will indexes online for probate granted on estates of those who have died since 1995. If a will or grant is found, you can buy a copy for £10.
https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

You can also try searching the Gazette Online as executors often advertise for creditors there:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/wills-and-probate

jackyann

Sensible to find out, then you can always bring it up by beginning "it was so kind of SGM & SGF to remember us - we were very touched"

dzug1

just_a_name wrote: »

To update this thread - I sent my form and fee off to the Probate office towards the end of April and it took almost 6 weeks for them to reply and confirm a 6 month standing search.

As I had the exact address, week & year of death and included and spelling variations of my deceased SGF's first name I am hopeful that they will find his estate documents.

I have heard nothing yet, with 5 months already gone - my SGF passed away in August 2012 - and am rather perplexed. Is the probate office usually very slow?

I don't think they are being slow - this 'delay' implies either that the documents don't exist and that it's the executors who are being slow in getting probate - or that they have been unable to find the documents using the information you provided


I think you are back at square one