Certified copy of will acceptable for probate?

AnaBenjie

At the time of taking the oath and doing the signing of things at the solicitor, is it worthwhile to have a certified copy of the will made?
If the original were to get lost in the post on its way to the Probate Registry (this cannot be impossible), would a certified copy be accepted as a replacement by them?

getmore4less

You do the oath after sending in the will.

AnaBenjie

Oh, thanks, I have been misinformed. However my essential query remains: that is, before sending in the will is it wise to get cert. copy in case of loss in the post.

Yorkshireman99

Sending it by Special Delivery would be best. However belt and braces if you feel it necessary.

Birdwatcher123

I was faced with a similar worry and decided to take my application for probate and will
directly to my District probate office even though it was quite a long journey it was worth the peace of mind as I have lost several thimgs in the post before
I did however get 3 certified copies of the Will at a solicitors nearby and was charged only £5
I was told by them that if the original will was lost a certified copy would be an acceptable replacement

SmlSave

It's ALWAYS a good idea to have a certified copy of an important document. For a minimal cost you get piece of mind.

Been dealing with Probate matters for 10 years now and only lost one Probate application in the post - the Court accepted a certified copy after the solicitor (my boss) rang and checked, swore he'd seen and sent the origianl and then accepted the copy with a statement.

FreeBear

Birdwatcher123 wrote: »

I was faced with a similar worry and decided to take my application for probate and will
directly to my District probate office even though it was quite a long journey it was worth the peace of mind

I also took the time to deliver a probate application by hand as the Probate Registry was kinda on my way in to work. Also had a couple of certified copies of the will done primarily for the banks if they asked to see one.

AnaBenjie

Thanks all. It's reasssured me that I am not totally paranoid. I've discovered that there is a Probate office not far from me, so I think I might adopt that option.

Savvy_Sue

AnaBenjie wrote: »

Thanks all. It's reasssured me that I am not totally paranoid. I've discovered that there is a Probate office not far from me, so I think I might adopt that option.

Be prepared not to get very far INTO the building without full ID and possibly a search.

I handed something in at our local office and getting beyond security was not trivial! If I hadn't wanted a signature for it I think it would have been more straightforward.