Certified copy of will

Newly_retired

One of the banks used by my late husband will only release funds on sight of a certified copy of his will, or Probate. We are still at the stage of gathering information, so a long way off Probate yet. 
I approached a local solicitor to do the copy of the will but they say they don't offer this service unless I am a client ie have instructed them. I was going to apply for Probate online, but use the solicitor to remake my own will and for whatever is legally necessary to administer the estate. Does that not make me a client, able to instruct them? I have had one meeting with the solicitor already to ask for information. I don't really want to pay them to apply for Probate.
Who else can I get to make a certified copy? I am reluctant to use a friend in case it is not done correctly, especially as the will is tied with a ribbon and sealed.
The alternative is to wait for Probate, as I understand this bank will accept a copy of the grant of Probate

tetrarch

Is there a physical branch that you can take the original will to for them to certify it themselves?

Regards

Tet

Keep_pedalling

tetrarch said:

Is there a physical branch that you can take the original will to for them to certify it themselves?

Regards

Tet

As above if you can get into a local branch they can do this, but make an appointment rather than just turn up. 

Brie

So you have the actual original will?  In which case going to a branch (any of that bank) and they should be willing to copy and certify the copy which will then be added on to their system for any of their departments to see.  If there's no branch local to you you should check for related banks - so if you're dealing with RBS but there's a NatWest nearby that should work too.  And if even then you're too far away from any branch then see if the local post office certifies documents.  I think the price is now about £11 which would cover 3 things to be certified.  You have to go in with good quality photocopies and they will stamp them as certified.  

Most banks will also release sufficient funds for a funeral without sight of wills or probate as long as you have the death certificate.  Again - take the original to them and they can copy it for you and log it on their system.

Sorry for your loss - there's always such a lot of paperwork as well as emotional upheaval.

BooJewels

I'm surprised a solicitors wouldn't do it, even for a walk in - no idea why you'd have to be a client. I'd expect them to charge a small fee - but it's only a bit of photocopying, some stamping and a couple of signatures.

The lovely solicitor who did our wills did two certified copies of my late husband's when I needed them and personally delivered them to me at home and wouldn't even let me pay the fee they'd originally quoted me.  She said it's one little thing I can do for you at a difficult time that might just help.  I'll never forget that kindness. 

Just to add to what others have said, if you do photocopy it to get it certified - or ask someone else to do it - do not remove any staples or corner covers to do so - it must be in tact when sent off for Probate. 

user1977

Just try another solicitor? As above, no particular need for you to be instructing them in any additional work.

Newly_retired

Thanks for replies.
the bank isn’t one I have ever used myself. The savings were originally with a building society which the bank took over. There is a branch a 35 minute bus ride away in the city.
As I said, the will is put together in quite an old fashioned way with a seal and I am worried about photocopying breaking the seal.
i was really surprised by the solicitor’s response, since I have made an appointment with them.

Mrs_Z

Phone around. When I had to post the original will to the Probate office, I wanted to retain a certified copy just in case. Some solicitors would not certify at all, some were charging £5 per page! In the end I got it done with a firm round the corner from me and the kind reception lady did the photocopies for no charge (4 pages). They should not remove any staples etc, but will stamp each page of the photocopy to say it’s a certified copy and sign it.

msb1234

I got certified copies of my mother’s will from the solicitor who held her will. I paid £5 a copy and got 4 copies. 
I needed a couple more before I sent the will off for probate and asked a friend who is a deputy head in a primary school to certify more copies. One of these was accepted by the bank. 
Make sure though that  you don’t remove staples etc - just fold the pages over and photocopy each side

Skiddaw1

Mrs_Z said:

Phone around. When I had to post the original will to the Probate office, I wanted to retain a certified copy just in case. Some solicitors would not certify at all, some were charging £5 per page! In the end I got it done with a firm round the corner from me and the kind reception lady did the photocopies for no charge (4 pages). They should not remove any staples etc, but will stamp each page of the photocopy to say it’s a certified copy and sign it.

Yep- that's what I found when I was dealing with the estate of a close friend. It took a few tries but I found a very helpful local firm who did the copies for me.

joesoap1264

Skiddaw1 said:

Mrs_Z said:

Phone around. When I had to post the original will to the Probate office, I wanted to retain a certified copy just in case. Some solicitors would not certify at all, some were charging £5 per page! In the end I got it done with a firm round the corner from me and the kind reception lady did the photocopies for no charge (4 pages). They should not remove any staples etc, but will stamp each page of the photocopy to say it’s a certified copy and sign it.

Yep- that's what I found when I was dealing with the estate of a close friend. It took a few tries but I found a very helpful local firm who did the copies for me.

Am I wrong, or would it be advisable for the last to die to get certified copies, of the original, as well as the usual one given from the solicitor drawing up the will?
Keep them with other stuff for the executors if needed later, on death.?