Will lost in post

grayson

We have applied for probate ourselves as Will is simple property and money split 3 ways. My sisters and myself.
I sent the will to Harlow probate po box 1st class signed for.

It has been delivered to Chelmsford MC the so called person who signed was BANTEC.??

I have called royal mail and they said they will investigate. Doesn't sound promising though.

My question if it is lost. How do we proceed to distribute the estate. Like I mentioned earlier my mum passed and we are her 3 children my dad passed years ago.

We have no copy of will photos. Would it be best to appoint an Administor rather than going through probate with no Will?

Also will we be refunded probate fee?
We need it done as quickly as possible.

Thanks all

Keep_pedalling

Too late for you I’m afraid, but when sending such an important document you should a) use a more secure and tracked service such as RM special delivery, and b) make copies before posting just in case it still gets lost.

You can’t just claim there was no will and apply for letters of administration. You will have to wait for RM to get back to you before you can do anything, but as 1st class signed for is not tracked I would not be too hopeful on that front. If the will was originally held by a solicitor I would contact them as they may still have copies and the probate office may need to contact them.

The next step will be to send form PA13 to the probate office.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/990693/PA13_0421_save.pdf

shiraz99

Isn't the Chelmsford Mail Centre (MC) exactly the place that handles the receipt of probate applications for their PO Box? Unfortunately I don't think I still have my tracking number when I sent mine in via special delivery else I'd double check.

grayson

Just contacted my sister and she has photos of Will before it was posted.

grayson

shiraz99 said:

Isn't the Chelmsford Mail Centre (MC) exactly the place that handles the receipt of probate applications for their PO Box? Unfortunately I don't think I still have my tracking number when I sent mine in via special delivery else I'd double check.

The postcode on our receipt is Harlow area. Chelmsford is totally different postcode.

Keep_pedalling

grayson said:

Just contacted my sister and she has photos of Will before it was posted.

That should make life easier.

What address did you send it to?

grayson

Keep_pedalling said:

grayson said:

Just contacted my sister and she has photos of Will before it was posted.

That should make life easier.

What address did you send it to?

HMCTS probate, po box 12625, Harlow, CM20 9QE.

Letter was delivered to Chelmsford MC CM2 6ZZ

grayson

Worse case scenario. If they refuse probate without original Will. What happens to my mum's estate? 

MovingForwards

Chelmsford MC CM2 6ZZ is the delivery office.

If probate don't accept the photos then it's an intestate estate, distributed as per intestacy rules.

Edit to add link

https://www.gov.uk/inherits-someone-dies-without-will

Flugelhorn

grayson said:

Worse case scenario. If they refuse probate without original Will. What happens to my mum's estate? 

if they cannot do probate then the question is : what difference in this case will it make? who did your mum leave her estate to? In many cases this is no different than if someone was intestate. 
for example when my mother died I got a certified copy of the will and delivered it by hand - if however it had got lost / destroyed / no copy then I could have applied for letters of administration and  everything would have come to me as did the will had also indicated.

A relative wanted to change his will (as it was no longer relevent apparently) - he asked someone to bring his papers to the hospital then asked them to take them home, we never found the will and believe he destroyed the will as was happy for LoA to come in to place and the estate to be distributed by intestacy rules

shiraz99

grayson said:

shiraz99 said:

Isn't the Chelmsford Mail Centre (MC) exactly the place that handles the receipt of probate applications for their PO Box? Unfortunately I don't think I still have my tracking number when I sent mine in via special delivery else I'd double check.

The postcode on our receipt is Harlow area. Chelmsford is totally different postcode.

I was thinking more of where it was tracked to rather than the address on the receipt. I'm pretty sure that all applications would go via the Chelmsford MC.