Will deposited with the probate service

glitter123

My late father's will was deposited with the Probate Service and held for safekeeping at the Principal Probate Registry in London. I had a photocopy.

The executors have applied for probate but today we received a letter from a district registry saying we need to forward the original Will which needs to be retrieved from the Record Keepers in London. Booklet PA7 sent to us says we need to obtain and complete a withdrawal form PA7A.

I can't find any information online about this form.

In this same booklet (PA7) there is a web address for information and online forms - this redirects me to another site - HM Courts which does mention getting a form from them but I have tried ringing and after hanging on for ages the line goes dead saying "sorry there is no reply!"

Has anyone any experience of retrieving a Will from the Probate Service?

Rodders53

Reading this http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/withdrawing-a-will-from-safe-keeping#ibelieve

suggests to me you should have / need to find the original certificate of deposit for the will... that may well be in a pack along with a withdrawal form that you can use?

Failing that then, if you cannot get through during opening hours then writing may be the best course?

butterflymum

The form can be downloaded by going to:

http://hmctsformfinder.justice.gov.uk/HMCTS/FormFinder.do

and typing PA7A in the Form/Leaflet number box then clicking on search.

glitter123

Thanks for your help both of you.

Yes we have the certificate of deposit and now I've managed to download the form.

I couldn't get through on the phone number it just kept cutting me off saying it couldn't be answered!

John_Pierpoint

You may find that the central probate people moved last autumn to the Law Courts in the Strand..
[I am not sure which bit holds wills]