Grant of Probate - Do I Need It?

vhastings

Hi all,
I wonder if you can help. My dad passed away at the beginning of June. His next of kin are my mother (his widow), and myself and my brother. Most of his finances were sorted out easily as he had joint accounts with my mother and it all went to her. He also wrote a will many years ago when we were children, but it clearly states that my mother would get everything which is fine by us. There has been no executor because it was all sorted so easily. However, we have hit a snag with Premium Bonds from NS&I. Dad had over £30,000 in Premium Bonds as rainy day money. We have informed NS&I of his passing and they have seen his death certificate. However, they refuse to release the funds to my mother without a Grant of Probate. They are the only organisation to request this. They say it's because it is over £5000. I have looked up Grant of Probate, and it is over £200 to do it yourself. Is there any way around this? It seems so unfair that we have to pay yet more money when my mother was married to my father, there's a will, everything is rightfully hers and no one is contesting it. 

Has anyone had an experience like this and have any advice? I feel now like we should have moved some of the money before his death (he was ill with cancer) to avoid this kind of thing. If there's no way around the Grant of Probate issue, is it relatively easy to do oneself and not involve a solicitor? 

Thanks in advance for any advice you can give

Victoria

JGB1955

You don't need a solicitor and can easily DIY.

xylophone

https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk/media-centre/articles-apr-jun-2019/is-probate-needed-for-premium-bonds/
If the total value of NS&I products held within a deceased's Estate exceeds £5,000, then the Executors must apply to the Probate Registry for a legal document. This is normally called a Grant of Probate (or a Grant of Letters of Administration if there's no Will)

You can  easily do it yourself.
https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/apply-for-probate