Escape to the country & living off savings

Skint_yet_Again

Sorry to drag up old memories for you Tresinia 
I pinched “sadmin” from another thread as I think it sums it up perfectly 🥺

Reply now received from the mobile company which states that as the refund is only £4 they cannot send a cheque as their minimum is £10. It has taken them since mid August to tell me this 😡 So I have told them to send a goodwill gesture cheque for £11 due to the distress they are causing. Don’t want to claim “compo” but also don’t want to faff with the ombudsman if I can avoid it just for £4 !! 

Today I am planning a visit to nearby little town to go to dad’s bank & try to get executor expenses reimbursed. I believe they will give out for the plaque (funeral expense) and probate application. Then I can put the money back in my diy / interest/ emergency pot which currently stands at £294.94 and should then have enough to pay for my new radiator. I’m just waiting on a quote from the plumber. 

jwil

They're taking the mick!  Just think how much they could be sitting on if they refuse to refund less than £10 each time.

SuzeQStan

This process is a real eye opener SYA - thank you for sharing it - and I really hope that cheque is on its way! 🤞🏻🤞🏻

Tresinia511

Sya, s'okay, I am almost 6 years into my loss now.  I have found it does get easier as memories which were unbearable in the first months and years now give me comfort , I can watch old videos and look at pictures with pleasure now,  a thing which is so bittersweet during the time.  I take my hat off to you navigating the probate process yourself,  I handed it all over to the solicitor, not sure if it was the right decision but it's such a responsibility and as you have shown,  a faff

badmemory

I did probate for my mother & frankly found satisfaction in after years by making a point of not putting money into the pockets of those who made life difficult.

Skint_yet_Again

Thanks jwil, Suze, Tresinia & badmemory 😊

I don’t think there is a right or wrong thing Tresinia it’s all a choice. Once I thought I could do it I didn’t want to hand control over to a solicitor who would charge for the work and take at least twice as long but I came close to it and can understand not being able to face it, especially when it came to the trust 🤯

Have now received an email from probate office confirming receipt of documents (original will, codicil, PA15 & death cert) posted 4/11/2025. Royal Mail tracking showed delivery on 5/11/2025. Fingers crossed it doesn’t take long. 🤞 

Removed a few things from dads that I had forgotten about in the cupboard under the stairs, checked round & emptied the dehumidifiers. Then popped into little town and Dads bank (H fax) were fantastic. I emailed the receipt from council for plaque and probate receipt and they refunded into my account. 

Interest / emergency pot now £940.94. Can’t remember what I spent some of the money (4k) on as circumstances have taken up space in my memory but I know there was new fence, chimney pointing, flashing & cement on top & I’m still due money for dads empty home insurance £470 which will be refunded from the main executor account once we have probate. 

Skint_yet_Again

Can’t believe it … mobile company have replied to say £11 is below the minimum for a cheque 😡🤬

So I have told them to send me a cheque for £50 or face the ombudsman. So angry 😤 

Tresinia511

Good news about h. fax. Boo to mobile company.  Time to up the ante with complaint and compensation i think.  Ask for £500 and work backwards. The Ombudsman is definitely worth pursuing 

Skint_yet_Again

Have received email confirmation that probate has been granted. Blimey that was quick. 

SuzeQStan

Oh well done SYA - you have worked so hard during the toughest of times and prevailed. 🥰❤️