Struck off solicitor is sole executor... what next?

Mark2spark

I thought I'd update this thread in case someone in the future reads through the archives.
The SRA are as much use as a wet blanket. They first direct you to the 'intervening agents' who are supposedly dealing with the closed firms affairs. After a month, they reply to say that they don't hold any paperwork, and to contact the SRA.
When you re-contact the SRA, after 3 weeks they ask you to fill in a form to get them to 'look' to see if they have the will, but that the executor needs to sign the form. The executor obviously can't sign the form because they have been closed down.
So after another 3 weeks they then say, ok, no executor, then provide a copy of the grant of probate...
Which you can't do as you can't apply for probate without the original will.
All of this is explained in accompanying letters of explanation but seemingly they are not being read by anyone that can grasp the circumstances.
So, we are about 8 weeks into the SRA searching for the will that they removed from the closed down solicitors office's safe. They won't respond to any messages or give any updates (nor confirm that it's in fact lost).
However.
In the meantime the (elderly) family member that held a copy of the will has disclosed it to the beneficiaries. The reason that they wouldn't previously disclose it is because 'they didn't want to get into any trouble' for holding an official document 
It turns out that this copy is in fact a Certified Copy, so after using the Probate Office on line chat for advice, a Probate Application has now been made, using the copy, but also with a Lost Will form PA13. (After Inheritance tax declaration was done to HMRC).
The Probate Application has to be made by paper copy, it's too complicated for an on-line application for them. But the fee of £215 can be paid over the phone before sending it all off.
The certified copy of the will revealed that the closed down law firm were the executors, not any named solicitors, so as they don't exist anymore, then there was no-one that needed to renounce.
So, we wait and see.
Hope this helps.

Froglet

What a long drawn out,ridiculous process.I feel.for.you,but it does look as if you are finally getting somewhere.As executor of my Mum's will,with easy going sisters as beneficiaries,I am grateful to her for making the process as easy as possible.I have sent off the documents for the Probate to be done,and then the long process of selling her property can begin.Good luck with it all.