We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
NS&I insisting on probate
didgemaster
Posts: 58 Forumite
Hi MSE forums
My mother-in-law passed away last year and my father-in-law is sorting out her savings and investments. NS&I are refusing to give him the savings until probate has been carried out. It does say that they can insist upon this but it seems a little harsh that he has to spend £1500 on solicitors in order to get to his deceased wife's savings. Surely there is something he can do?
Thanks in advance
My mother-in-law passed away last year and my father-in-law is sorting out her savings and investments. NS&I are refusing to give him the savings until probate has been carried out. It does say that they can insist upon this but it seems a little harsh that he has to spend £1500 on solicitors in order to get to his deceased wife's savings. Surely there is something he can do?
Thanks in advance
0
Comments
-
Yes... he can apply for probate himself - it will cost £215 and is not very complicated at all.
See Applying for probate: Apply for probate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)#2 Saving for Christmas 2024 - £1 a day challenge. £325 of £3668 -
He doesn't have to spend anything on solicitors. He can apply for probate himself.0
-
See very similar recent thread at https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/778129230
-
It’s very reassuring that NS&I require proof of legal entitlement before handing over a person’s funds to their spouse.2
-
It does say that they can insist upon this but it seems a little harsh that he has to spend £1500 on solicitors in order to get to his deceased wife's savings. Surely there is something he can do?
Spending £1500 on solicitors is a choice. Not a requirement. There is absolutely no need to spend that much.
I am an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA). The comments I make are just my opinion and are for discussion purposes only. They are not financial advice and you should not treat them as such. If you feel an area discussed may be relevant to you, then please seek advice from an Independent Financial Adviser local to you.1 -
didgemaster said:Hi MSE forums
My mother-in-law passed away last year and my father-in-law is sorting out her savings and investments. NS&I are refusing to give him the savings until probate has been carried out. It does say that they can insist upon this but it seems a little harsh that he has to spend £1500 on solicitors in order to get to his deceased wife's savings. Surely there is something he can do?
Thanks in advance
As JGB1955 has pointed out, it only costs £215 and your father-in-law can do it himself. Until recently the process was paper based and you had to visit a local Probate registry, but now it is even simpler - though somewhat slower - and you can do it all online without the need to visit anywhere.
For a simple estate where probate is being applied for by a spouse then the forms really are very easy to complete. Your father-in-law will find it quite straightforward, and if he's not internet savvy then you can help him while he's filling in the forms online.
1 -
Don't expect a quick response though, I put my late brothers paperwork in the beginning of August this year, now early December and still waiting, contacted the probate helpline to ask where its at, their response....we're very busy...1
-
Probate may well required to access the other "investments" as well.0
-
Very strange, when my father passed away none of financial institutions asked for probate. Just a copy of the will showing everything going to my mother and his certificate.
One firm said they needed probate, my mother said she didn't and they changed their minds and agreed.0 -
the requirement for probate or not often depends on the sum of money involved.0
Categories
- All Categories
- 346.6K Banking & Borrowing
- 251.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 451.4K Spending & Discounts
- 238.8K Work, Benefits & Business
- 614.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 174.8K Life & Family
- 252K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards