Advice about DIY Probate

Shona_Terry

Hi, I've recently completed probate forms to get grant. I've read some other threads and I'm a bit worried. The estate was only a house and bank accounts, but I wasn't asked for any proof of bank account details. Should I have sent proof of the money? The only things the form asked for was the death certificate and payment.

Also, I'm under the impression that once I have received a form from the probate office I take this to my solicitor and sign the oath. After this is sworn I can then get the probate grant. Is this correct?

Yorkshireman99

You don't need to provide proof. You are correct about taking the oath. All straightforward.

Sevennotemode

You don't even need to go to a solicitor to take the oath - you can do it at the probate office (for free!)

Yorkshireman99

Sevennotemode wrote: »

You don't even need to go to a solicitor to take the oath - you can do it at the probate office (for free!)

Assuming you are close to one!

Owain_Moneysaver

Shona_Terry wrote: »

I wasn't asked for any proof of bank account details. Should I have sent proof of the money?

No, but you should get a statement of account from the bank showing the balance at date of death, any transactions after death, and the closure of the account and the transfer of funds to the executor's account. You will need them for preparing the executor's account of funds received and paid out to beneficiaries or as executor's expenses.

Keep all the paperwork in case you are asked to produce the executor's accounts to the court or there is a question over IHT (or Capital Gains or Income Tax for the executor)