Any feedback on the Probate Department Limited (TPD ltd) and/or DIY Probate Forms UK?

KMA

hi there I've been doing some research on Probate Specialists, as I am thinking about probate assistance regarding my fathers estate, was wondering whether anyone had any experience (good or bad) of the Probate Department Limited (TPD ltd)? They are based in Sussex.


Similarly, I have come across DIY Probate Forms UK, a Leicester based firm who offer a DIY approach to probate, with an online or CD package, complete with telephone support for a one-off fixed fee. It looked a bit "American commercial" so was a bit .... there are some good testimonials on their sites for both service/product offerings but wanted to poll the good people here


I have looked at both their websites, there is positive feedback but wanted a less potentially biased view.


thanks

G6JNS

KMA wrote: »

hi there I've been doing some research on Probate Specialists, as I am thinking about probate assistance regarding my fathers estate, was wondering whether anyone had any experience (good or bad) of the Probate Department Limited (TPD ltd)? They are based in Sussex.


Similarly, I have come across DIY Probate Forms UK, a Leicester based firm who offer a DIY approach to probate, with an online or CD package, complete with telephone support for a one-off fixed fee. It looked a bit "American commercial" so was a bit .... there are some good testimonials on their sites for both service/product offerings but wanted to poll the good people here


I have looked at both their websites, there is positive feedback but wanted a less potentially biased view.


thanks

I doubt you need the first but the second sounds quite reasonable and the information they sent me seems genuine. I was looking for some pointers to give to my executors.

wwl

If the estate is straightforward you really don't need anything more than the forms & guides on the HMRC and Probate dept websites.
I can't really see what these companies are offering other than trying to sell you info that's already available for free.

If there are things you don't understand, one approach is to figure out exactly which things you do and don't understand, make a list of the latter and book an hour with a solicitor to go through it all.

FreeBear

wwl wrote: »

If the estate is straightforward you really don't need anything more than the forms & guides on the HMRC and Probate dept websites.

I have had a couple of useful bits of advice from http://www.bereavementadvice.org/. Just watch out for the sales pitch for Simplify - They don't have a very good reputation here, and they failed to keep a couple of appointments with me.

If you are in a union, it would be worth contacting them to see if they have a free legal advice line that can help with probate matters.

konark

I have looked at both their websites, there is positive feedback...

Probably phoney, in any case they're not gonna put all the complaints on their website are they?

getmore4less

Go to the library and get some books, loads available.

Just need to check they are reasonably new, but the latest info is available on the web.

The IHT forms along with the notes and HMRC on-line manual covers the financial side sufficiently for most people.

If really stuck then probably best to ask on-line with a follow up with solicitor if still not clarified.