Probate - Request for more information possibly

mumtutu2

Hi

Father in law recently passed away and hubby and I have applied for probate online. Have just today received 2 emails from HMCTS, one acknowledging receipt of supporting documents and then a 2nd around 20 minutes later. This email says  "We’ve identified your case needs further consideration and our specialists need to look at it.

It could take up to 20 working days before you receive your grant of probate or we ask you for more information.
You do not need to take any action at this time. We’ll contact you as soon as we’ve reviewed your case."
Has anyone else had this email and can shed any light on the further info we may need to provide please? It was a straightforward application as far as we can see, no IHT to pay and a will was in place.  Thanks.

mumtutu2

Just to update, husband has called probate office and been told that his Dad's will has a minority interest? Am I correct in thinking that someone under 18 has been mentioned as a beneficiary? The will was updated a year or two ago, and the estate is to be split 50/50 between my husband and his brother who are both in their fifties! 

xylophone

his Dad's will has a minority interest? 

Puzzling!

Did father have a minority interest in any of the assets left in his will?

The house? Shares?  Land?

xylophone

Or did father have a majority interest with another party having the minority interest?

Mrs_Tiggywinkle

Just out of interest, how long did it take the probate office to acknowledge via email that they had received your supporting documents? I posted ours 21 days ago, and was expecting an email within 14 days (because that’s what the probate office had indicated) but have had nothing yet. 

poppystar

Have you double checked that when you put surviving relatives down on the probate application you put the sons in the over 18 box and not the under 18 box? 

Did the probate office refuse to clarify what the minority interest problem was when you telephoned? 

Did the email come from a specific person? I got my biggest leap forward in getting probate from replying to an email they sent and then getting to speak to someone who knew the exact case rather than just a telephone helpline person.

mumtutu2

As far as we know father in law had no minority interest in any assets. He was widowed so solely owned his property, no shares, no land etc. he had recently moved into care so we were condensing all finances etc to pay for his care fees. Also not aware of anyone who would hold a minority interest alongside him. I could have possibly ticked an incorrect box! Having applied online, can I check the application? The lady from HMCTS said she couldn't see why this has been brought up as an issue, said she'll try and follow up on it as it seems a simple estate to issue probate on. We'll see I guess. 

mumtutu2

Also we applied online on 13th May and the will was received by HMCTS on May 17th.  So not taking too long really.

xylophone

As far as we know father in law had no minority interest in any assets. He was widowed so solely owned his property, no shares, no land etc. he had recently moved into care so we were condensing all finances etc to pay for his care fees. Also not aware of anyone who would hold a minority interest alongside him. I could have possibly ticked an incorrect box! Having applied online, can I check the application? The lady from HMCTS said she couldn't see why this has been brought up as an issue, said she'll try and follow up on it as it seems a simple estate to issue probate on. We'll see I guess. 

It is very odd.

I am also puzzled about this "surviving relatives" business.

I have just asked relative who was named sole exor of a will with a number of beneficiaries and where there was a substantial IHT bill to pay.

He can't follow the "surviving  relative" question either. He says that details of beneficiaries were not required.

Do come back and explain!

poppystar

xylophone said:

As far as we know father in law had no minority interest in any assets. He was widowed so solely owned his property, no shares, no land etc. he had recently moved into care so we were condensing all finances etc to pay for his care fees. Also not aware of anyone who would hold a minority interest alongside him. I could have possibly ticked an incorrect box! Having applied online, can I check the application? The lady from HMCTS said she couldn't see why this has been brought up as an issue, said she'll try and follow up on it as it seems a simple estate to issue probate on. We'll see I guess. 

It is very odd.

I am also puzzled about this "surviving relatives" business.

I have just asked relative who was named sole exor of a will with a number of beneficiaries and where there was a substantial IHT bill to pay.

He can't follow the "surviving  relative" question either. He says that details of beneficiaries were not required.

Do come back and explain!

I was referring to section 4 (of the paper form - I guess online might be different?) . No idea why they ask the question and it’s not related to beneficiaries just background on deceased. 

mumtutu2

Can't offer much insight into the minority interest reference of the will, but just to update that probate has been granted! Had an email to say we should have it in hand in the next few days. So around four weeks since we applied and then sent the will. Hope that helps others with a timescale idea for a straightforward probate application. And thanks to all for your responses.