Original signed copy of will required for probate?

super_reds

Have been trying to locate the will of a relative who recently passed away. Have located a copy (but not the original nor is it signed) together with paperwork stating where the original is filed. Unfortunately the company that were archiving the documents were wound up by the courts some time ago and it's not apparent that there's any business that replaced them. Whilst the will is quite old, we think it is the last version.
Does anybody have any thoughts as to whether the will is going to be acceptable for probate and any advice on next steps?
Thanks in advance.

lisyloo

Is what the will states any different to the intestacy laws?

Flugelhorn

was it a solicitors storing the will? if so it should have been passed on to another firm

super_reds

lisyloo said:

Is what the will states any different to the intestacy laws?

Yes it would be different.

super_reds

Flugelhorn said:

was it a solicitors storing the will? if so it should have been passed on to another firm

No, they were an administration company.

xylophone

No, they were an administration company.

I think that you will need to use your best efforts in trying to trace the Will.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77378427#Comment_77378427

 I need to wait 2 months for a will search through Certainty 

https://www.certainty.org.uk/nafd/ Worth a try?

super_reds

xylophone said:

No, they were an administration company.

I think that you will need to use your best efforts in trying to trace the Will.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77378427#Comment_77378427

 I need to wait 2 months for a will search through Certainty 

https://www.certainty.org.uk/nafd/ Worth a try?

Thanks, presumably this sort of admin expense would be able to be reclaimed back from the estate at some point?

Magnolia

super_reds said:

Flugelhorn said:

was it a solicitors storing the will? if so it should have been passed on to another firm

No, they were an administration company.

Surely if they were storing legal documents then they hopefully should be registered with the Law Society?  If so then the Society will be aware of the administration company being wound up and will know where the documents were transferred to.

We had a problem when my father died and we tried to find the deeds to his property that the solicitor who held the documents had ceased trading.  The Law Society were able to tell us who took on the storage of the said documents.

Keep_pedalling

Magnolia said:

super_reds said:

Flugelhorn said:

was it a solicitors storing the will? if so it should have been passed on to another firm

No, they were an administration company.

Surely if they were storing legal documents then they hopefully should be registered with the Law Society?  If so then the Society will be aware of the administration company being wound up and will know where the documents were transferred to.

We had a problem when my father died and we tried to find the deeds to his property that the solicitor who held the documents had ceased trading.  The Law Society were able to tell us who took on the storage of the said documents.

Not if, as it appears, the will was written by an unregulated will writing firm.

super_reds

Magnolia said:

super_reds said:

Flugelhorn said:

was it a solicitors storing the will? if so it should have been passed on to another firm

No, they were an administration company.

Surely if they were storing legal documents then they hopefully should be registered with the Law Society?  If so then the Society will be aware of the administration company being wound up and will know where the documents were transferred to.

We had a problem when my father died and we tried to find the deeds to his property that the solicitor who held the documents had ceased trading.  The Law Society were able to tell us who took on the storage of the said documents.

Thanks but as the later poster states I don't think they would be under the jurisdiction of the Law Society sadly.

Magnolia

I'm sorry Super_reds - I had just hoped that if they were in receipt and storage of a legal documents then they would have to be registered somewhere.