Unsigned Will

Robin9

TonyMMM wrote: »

An ex-husband is not qualified to register her death unless he was actually present when she died.

This cannot be true - anyone can register a death but the info must be correct.

TonyMMM

Robin9 wrote: »

This cannot be true - anyone can register a death but the info must be correct.

No they can't - they have to be a qualified informant under one of the categories listed in the relevant legislation (s16/17 - The Births & Deaths Registration Act 1953)

The death certificate will show which category the informant was allowed to register under.

An ex-husband could register under a couple of categories - but not as a relative.

squibbs25

The stepdad registered the death, he was present when she died as was my friend and the sibling (she was admitted into hospital unconscious and passed away 30 hours later)
They definitely divorced, my question is whether they remarried in secret at a later date.
My friend has been in touch with will company who have said they cannot give any information as the stepdad is the first named executor.

Flugelhorn

My great grandfather's partner registered his death in 1945.
They had been together since 1912 and she had taken his name and on the certificate she was described as his widow.
The certificate was amended by the registrar following a statutory declaration a month later to indicate that she was not the widow and that she had a different name - presume in the absence of a marriage certificate she was stuck sorting the estate.

There are a few odd things about the OP's problem - odd that a the couple bought a house jointly after divorce - I would still wonder if they were really divorced?

squibbs25

The split up, divorced, then after approx 6 -8 months got back together again.

Tigsteroonie

squibbs25 wrote: »

My friend has been in touch with will company who have said they cannot give any information as the stepdad is the first named executor.

But he's not if the will is invalid by not being signed. Then there is no named executor.

squibbs25

Tigsteroonie wrote: »

But he's not if the will is invalid by not being signed. Then there is no named executor.

That is exactly what i have said.

I would like to saay thank you to everyone for taking the time to reply.

lincroft1710

My father forgot to sign his will, but it was accepted by the Probate Office with a statement from either one or both of the witnesses (cannot remember).

Unless the law has changed, an unsigned will is not such a big deal

Dox

lincroft1710 wrote: »

My father forgot to sign his will, but it was accepted by the Probate Office with a statement from either one or both of the witnesses (cannot remember).

Unless the law has changed, an unsigned will is not such a big deal

An unsigned will is actually quite a big deal, not least because the witnesses have signed to say they saw the testator sign the will in their presence. Very odd if the Probate Office accepts they lied about that and then takes their word for the fact your father meant to sign it.

The couple under discussion here could well have married abroad, so searching for UK records will yield nothing. Separate bedrooms? Means nothing, lots of couples prefer their own space (e.g. the Queen and Prince Philip!).

Tealblue

lincroft1710 wrote: »

My father forgot to sign his will, but it was accepted by the Probate Office with a statement from either one or both of the witnesses (cannot remember).

Unless the law has changed, an unsigned will is not such a big deal

Sounds a bit unlikely. See (for example) https://www.anthonygold.co.uk/latest/blog/what-can-you-do-with-an-unsigned-will/