Will lost in post

grayson

Here is the last entry

BooJewels

I have no idea if or how this might help - but I sent paper Probate and IHT forms with the original Will by Special Delivery - a year or so ago (application system slightly different then) and the Royal Mail screengrab I kept was signed for (i.e. printed name on the page) by 'XP1' with a big scrawly X in the sig. box and the last entry on the tracker was "Delivered and Signed; Harlow DO".

A search on-line - where someone asked the same question on the Royal Mail forum - was answered that this proved it was delivered to the address on the envelope and XP1 occurred when a postie signed for it due to Covid restrictions at the time.  The RM representative also said they didn't partially re-direct mail (the asker seemed to think things to PO boxes were maybe redirected if the PO was full), it was sent to the address given, unless there was a proper redirect in place.

I would suggest to the OP that if it has been signed for at all, chances are that it has reached its intended destination and to be patient and see what develops - it doesn't actually sound 'lost'.  As since Jan 2022 there is a different Probate system in place, maybe certain post is actually re-directed to a different place for sorting, scanning etc.as has already been suggested. 

I know this happened recently with both my CGT form and passport application.  Two separate conversations where the operative dealing with it did not have the paper documents, but were working with scans of them and said that the paper copies were kept elsewhere.  With the Passport, they said the instruction to return the paper copies of certificates back to me was only triggered, once the Passport had been issued and sent.

Nettiesmythe

I sent my late mums original Will recently.I checked my recorded delivery receipt it also says signed by BANTEC delivered Chelmsford MC.I did a web chat with probate yesterday and they confirmed they had received the original Will.

BooJewels

Where it says Bantec in text on the page - with domestic post - that's down to the postie typing it in on their hand held device (they ask how to spell my name when they're delivering SD items etc), so likely to just be a typo by them - if it has gone to 'Banctec'.

Presumably for places like that getting masses of mail, they must be scanned and dealt with in batches by RM.  The time of day is also suggestive of it going to a business of this nature too.

The important bit is the wording 'Proof of delivery' - that's what really matters going forwards.  If it has been lost at that end, it's on them to sort it out.

ETA:  Thanks @Nettiesmythe - we were posting at the same time - looks like that's the answer then!

Keep_pedalling

shiraz99 said:

grayson said:

It was delivered and signed for at Chelmsford MC. Person who signed is displayed as BANTEC. strange name.
Thanks all so far. 

How do you know it was signed for at Chelmsford MC? If you read my earlier post the last destination on the tracking history is usually the last delivery office (DO) or mail centre (MC) not the recipient address.

First class signed for is not tracked.

MovingForwards

user1977 said:

MovingForwards said:

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

That link is about people who died without making a Will. We're talking about someone who did make a Will.

I don't know about English procedure, but certainly in Scotland if this happens you can apply to court with evidence of what the Will (or any other lost deed) said, and the surrounding circumstances, and you end up with a judgement which is legally as effective as the original Will. I'd be surprised if English law presumed the estate was intestate just because somebody loses the original Will post-death.

ETA: seems to be similar procedure for England:

https://www.georgeide.co.uk/blog/general/applying-for-grant-of-probate-all-is-not-lost-with-a-lost-will/

I know that, but OP was asking what happens and if the will is lost, photos not accepted then the estate would be dealt with under the intestacy rules. The link quickly shows how the estate would be distributed if OP clicked the relevant situation eg who is left in the family.

If the solicitors still have a photocopy of the signed will, assuming it was done with one, that could potentially be submitted, with an affidavit.

shiraz99

grayson said:

Here is the last entry

Yes, that's fine then. It's been delivered correctly. As I've mentioned a number of times now, the last entry on the tracking history is simply the last Royal Mail facility to handle the mail, it's not meant to show the recipient address.

shiraz99

Keep_pedalling said:

shiraz99 said:

grayson said:

It was delivered and signed for at Chelmsford MC. Person who signed is displayed as BANTEC. strange name.
Thanks all so far. 

How do you know it was signed for at Chelmsford MC? If you read my earlier post the last destination on the tracking history is usually the last delivery office (DO) or mail centre (MC) not the recipient address.

First class signed for is not tracked.

Did I say it was.

grayson

I have emailed probate office twice one was 5 days ago. No reply. I have called them. Over, 30 minutes with no answer.

Nettiesmythe

I went on web chat and they confirmed receiving my original Will.It had same name and place as yours on my recorded delivery receipt.