Strange email from probate registry

Jon1970

I am applying for probate on my brother on an excepted estate and have completed & submitted the paper form (PA1A) as the only next of kin is myself and my brother died intestate thus I am unable to apply online. 

Very straightforward estate, consisting of 2 bank accounts, (2 cars and a caravan which I have sold due to issues with storage) and I have paid all debts, bills & funeral expenses etc out of my own funds. The estate value is well under the IHT threshold.

Submitted application approx 3 weeks ago and had the various acknowledgements, however today received an email from the probate registry titled 'Request For Further Information'. However the content of the email just stated the following and not actually asking for further information:

'Thank you for your application. In order for us to progress your application further, please confirm the following information by replying by email to contactprobate@justice.gov.uk:

Your case is with the Specialist Team for review, who will be in touch with you for more information if needed.'

I have replied to said email acknowledging it and saying if they require further information then to email me by return. But I find it rather strange they send me an email titled  'Request For Further Information' but not actually ask for any further information. Have others experienced is & is this anything to be concerned about?

debsy42

Sounds like someone pressed the send button before they'd finished writing the email

Savvy_Sue

It sounds as if they've passed it on for review, for reasons we can't guess at, and sent a standard letter which includes the request for information. 

Just checking though: if there was no will, you're applying for Letters of Administration. I don't know if that means different forms - someone else will confirm - and is it therefore possible that you sent forms for Probate, but without a will?

Jon1970

Savvy_Sue as I understand it the correct form was completed, I meant Letters of Administration, just used the generic term Probate in my OP.

GoogleMeNow

I had the same email from the probate office, when processing my late mum's estate.  It took them two months to actually tell me what further information they required.  I eventually contacted them by telephone and they sent the email with details of the further information they required within a couple of minutes.  I was irritated because, until 16 weeks had passed since I submitted the application, they would not talk to me. 

Try and phone them OP, before 1.00 pm I think now.