Grant of Probate - Legal obligations of the bank?

DJHILTON1971

Are banks legally obliged to release money once grant of probate has been obtained?

The grant of probate for my late father's estate was obtained in December 2023. The legal team dealing with his estate have already received money from a couple of his savings accounts, but are still awaiting from his bank (TSB).

I sent statements to the legal team as they were originally under the impression he had a Lloyds Bank account whereas it was actually TSB. Would they then sent a copy of the G of P to them?

lisyloo

When you say legal team, I assume you are using solicitors and not doing it DIY and this may be the issue.
If they were under the wrong impression about his accounts then this might have slowed things down?
The banks are entitled to check the paperwork is valid.

Have you asked your legal team when they actually requested the money and supplied all the required documentation?

Why did you not do DIY? where you have a lot more control and efficiency?

DJHILTON1971

lisyloo said:

When you say legal team, I assume you are using solicitors and not doing it DIY and this may be the issue.
If they were under the wrong impression about his accounts then this might have slowed things down?
The banks are entitled to check the paperwork is valid.

Have you asked your legal team when they actually requested the money and supplied all the required documentation?

Why did you not do DIY? where you have a lot more control and efficiency?

I thought about DIY at first, but felt like a minefield and decided to use Coop Legal Services. I was approached by them as i used Coop Funeralcare for my father's funeral. I am currently awaiting further from them.

lisyloo

inevitably they slow things down (another set of people to go through who have other tasks as well as yours).
Plus as you said there is the possibility of people being under the "wrong impression".

I doubt there's anything sinister, just how long it take for you to talk to solicitors, solicitors to deal with your case, solicitors to send to bank, bank to send back to solicitors, solicitors to deal with your case, solicitors to contact you.

personally I think it slows things down particularly these days with staff shortages