Storage of Wills

Mojisola

olgadapolga said:

A bit off the wall here but if the solicitors won't release the original wills FOC, why not get new ones written when the next free will-writing session comes around (usually every November, I seem to recall?)

Presumably the copies of the wills your parent hold could be used as the basis for new wills?

As long as they are very careful and get several people to proof-read the new wills, why not just copy the old ones (assuming no changes are needed), get them signed and dated - the old wills won't be relevant any more.
Send the new wills to the Probate Office for storage, as elsien said earlier.

TBagpuss

What does the file closing letter sday that they were sent when their file was closed?  It may well state that they may charge a fee to retrieve files or docum,ents, in which casse charging to release the wills will fall under that.

It it not inherently unreasonable for them to charge a few - they will have to take steps to verify your parents ID to ensure that tthey are releasing the wills to the correct people.

Nor is it particualrly surprising that situations have changes and they no longer hve space to carry on prividing a free storage service. I dount that you would be able to sucessfully ague that there was a contract for free storage , I think it's likely that this was a goodwill gesture which is now being withdrawn. 

MAking new wills is likely to cost more so I suggest that your parents consider whether they need to reiew or change the wills. I they do, then make new ones. If they don't, then take to old ones out of storage and store them for themselves.