Which name to put in a will

lr1277

Robert_McGeddon said:

Also, when your Dad passes, someone will need to obtain a death certificate. The Registrar will ask the applicant if the deceased was known by any other name(s). In your case you would say "Yes" and the certificate would record your Dad's name in the form "Fred Smith JOHNSON otherwise Fred SMITHJOHNSON otherwise .................". This should enable access to probate and bank accounts held in different names.

Thank you for that advice. Do you know if when we attend the registry office, we will have to show documents with the different names? Or will our word be good enough?

RAS

Which country are you in? In Scotland, if you weren't born there, they need evidence, but sounds like you have a lot anyway.

Gers

lr1277 said:

Robert_McGeddon said:

Also, when your Dad passes, someone will need to obtain a death certificate. The Registrar will ask the applicant if the deceased was known by any other name(s). In your case you would say "Yes" and the certificate would record your Dad's name in the form "Fred Smith JOHNSON otherwise Fred SMITHJOHNSON otherwise .................". This should enable access to probate and bank accounts held in different names.

Thank you for that advice. Do you know if when we attend the registry office, we will have to show documents with the different names? Or will our word be good enough?

Registrations are being done by phone calls just now. (Scotland) 

I was called by the registrar twice, once to give all the details I had and the next day to complete the process. The registrar had sourced all the necessary documents from somewhere, birth, marriage and divorce certificates and my long deceased father's info too. My mother was born abroad, my parents married in BAOR and mum was naturalised.  

There was a discussion about my father's middle name which had morphed over time to become part of their double barrelled surname. Even that wasn't a problem, just needed explained. 

It was pretty amazing and surprisingly easy. 

lr1277

We are all in England. We were all born in the aforementioned Asian country but became naturalised British citizens many years ago.

TBagpuss

Gers said:

Oh grief!  I've just remembered that I have a first forename which is only recorded on my birth certificate and no-where else. My 'middle' name is on passport, driving licence, bank accounts, Will, HMRC, DWP etc etc.

Perhaps I need to consult my solicitor too!

For the purpose of a will what's important is that you are identifiable -  So, if your original name is Elizabeth Jane Bennet but everyone knows you as Jane Bennet, then  if you or someone else uses Jane Bennet in a will it should be fine.

However, best practice would be to say "Jane Bennet (also known as Elizabeth Jane Bennet)"

I agree that OP's dad should include both names in the will for clarity, but if it only has one then as long as it's possible to provide evidence that he was known by the name used in the will, and that he was in fact the person who approved and signed it, it shouldn't be a problem.