Bank requesting copy of will.

treecol

I thought I'd dealt with all my Dad's bank accounts efficiently after his death, but I've just had a letter out of the blue from his bank where he had his current account. I've already sent them his death certificate, but they say they haven't received - I am happy to send another one. However, they are asking for a copy of his will. (I'm beneficiary & executor jointly with my husband) No other banks asked for this for him or indeed my mother when she died. Do I have to send a copy of the will? They say it's for their records, but I've never had this before so just want to check if they are entitled to one?

Alter_ego

If you were granted probate I can see no reason for the bank to need a copy of the will.

Goldiegirl

Are you sure they are asking for the will, and not a the Grant of Probate?


They can't do anything with the will and they don't need to see it.


But, depending on the amount in the account, they may need to see the Grant of Probate in order to confirm that you are authorised to act on behalf of the estate

dr_adidas01

I think they probably mean they want to see a copy of the Grant of Probate rather than a copy of the will.

It has nothing to do with the bank whats in the will, and I've never yet heard of a bank asking to specifically see a will.

treecol

This is why I thought it odd. I've got the grant of probate, which obviously gives me the right to act, but they have definitely asked for the will. I can't understand why.
So I presume I should just resend the death cert & enclose the grant of probate pointing out they have no need of the will. Just thought I'd ask 1st as I didn't have this with his other accounts.
Incidentally, they say they want to see the original will as they cannot accept a copy. No chance of that as the probate registry now hold that. I only have the copy the sent back to me with the grant.

Hasbeen

treecol wrote: »

This is why I thought it odd. I've got the grant of probate, which obviously gives me the right to act, but they have definitely asked for the will. I can't understand why.
So I presume I should just resend the death cert & enclose the grant of probate pointing out they have no need of the will. Just thought I'd ask 1st as I didn't have this with his other accounts.
Incidentally, they say the copy of the will is "for their records".

Had to do this when MIL died, RBS standard at that time.
Just sent copy no problems.


If they want it just save on hassle and give copy, or suspect they will ask again.

Hasbeen

Hasbeen wrote: »

Had to do this when MIL died, RBS standard at that time.
Just sent copy no problems.


If they want it just save on hassle and give copy, or suspect they will ask again.

The will is yours, you are entitled to get it back!

agrinnall

Hasbeen wrote: »

The will is yours, you are entitled to get it back!

Do you often reply to your own posts?

henm2

Just send in the Grant of Probate. A copy of the will is usually only required by a bank if the estate is very small and simple and the intention is for the executor not to apply for probate. The bank will just check who is the named executor stated in the will and ask for identification of that person as part of their procedures.

treecol

Interestingly, I also discovered today a statement from about 1 month after dad had died for this account. I must have overlooked opening it. Despite dad never going overdrawn his whole life, & me cancelling all his direct debits, between them getting my letter informing them of his death & Southern Electric cancelling the DD, the bank allowed the account to go 41p overdrawn & have charged £85 for it!!!
Not sure who will be to blame for this, I wonder if they'll want the money? If there are insufficient funds & there is no pre arranged overdraft, surely they should not have allowed it? Or am I expecting too much?

treecol

Any thoughts on the above before this gets lost?