What is visible when people request copies of wills/probate from the Probate office

BooBoo77

Hello, I’ve just sent off my probate application as executor for my friend. In doing so it mentions that the will will become a public document and retained by the office. What does that mean in terms of the information freely available to people? I’m conscious that my address is on the will and the information I put in about the estate. To make sure I didn’t report incorrectly about inheritance tax I took the highest estimate of the property price from Zoopla (still below IHT) but believe the real value will be lower due to poor repair. Does that sort of information on the final value of the estate become public property and if so, at what level of detail or is it the estimates and what level of detail? Thank you. 

p00hsticks

From recollection the probate declaration itself gives the names and addresses of the deceased and of the executors, and the gross and net values of the estate as declared - nothing more. 
The will is a complete scanned copy of the will. 

Marcon

BooBoo77 said:

Hello, I’ve just sent off my probate application as executor for my friend. In doing so it mentions that the will will become a public document and retained by the office. What does that mean in terms of the information freely available to people? I’m conscious that my address is on the will and the information I put in about the estate. To make sure I didn’t report incorrectly about inheritance tax I took the highest estimate of the property price from Zoopla (still below IHT) but believe the real value will be lower due to poor repair. Does that sort of information on the final value of the estate become public property and if so, at what level of detail or is it the estimates and what level of detail? Thank you. 

If the above (accurate) answer hasn't set your mind at rest, why don't you download a copy of a will (pick anyone who appears on https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/) for £1.50 and you'll be able to see exactly what information is made publicly available?

Olinda99

as above - the will is scanned in so basically anyone can get a 'photocopy'

BooBoo77

Thanks all so my full address as executor will be visible as it will be on the will too. That is a bit worrying. Oh well. Nothing I can do about it now. Good idea to pick one at random to get a copy. I’ll do that. 

bobster2

Grant of probate shows the gross and net value of the estate before IHT has been paid.

It also shows the name and address of the person who obtained probate (e.g. the executor)

RAS

There are two levels in one sense.

If you're just trying to find out when someone died and the value of the estate, the index generally gives full names, address, DoB, DoD and when probate was granted, plus the rough value. So "not exceeding £125,000" is common. 

If you buy the Will and grant, the grant tells you much the same plus the executor/administrator's name and address. The will is a scan of the original. Which is why explaining why Jimmy isn't getting anything in a will is not wise. Add a side letter that will only be opened if Jimmy queries the situation.

Silvertabby

Do you think someone may kick off, either over the contents of the Will or your actions as Executor?  

BooBoo77

Thank you RAS, Bobster2 and Silvertabby. 
Good point on people keeping anything of a more personal nature out of the will. 
I don't really know about someone challenging things Silvertabby, but if there is any difficulty, I was hoping that I could deal with it via a solicitor so having my address as executor on the probate and freely available in the will feels a bit uncomfortable.  I understand how the contents of a will should be freely available but names and addresses feel like they should have more privacy.

lincroft1710

BooBoo77 said:

having my address as executor on the probate and freely available in the will feels a bit uncomfortable.  I understand how the contents of a will should be freely available but names and addresses feel like they should have more privacy.

Sorry, but executors' name and addresses have to be stated on the will so they can be traced

bobster2

lincroft1710 said:

BooBoo77 said:

having my address as executor on the probate and freely available in the will feels a bit uncomfortable.  I understand how the contents of a will should be freely available but names and addresses feel like they should have more privacy.

Sorry, but executors' name and addresses have to be stated on the will so they can be traced

Since executors often move after a will is written - the address on the will is not so much about tracing but rather clearly identifying the executor. E.g. John Smith - who once lived at 14 Madeup Street, Anytown, PO99 9XX. Rather than any other John Smith. 

Even if someone want to leave the address off the will for privacy - the current address would be clearly stated on the grant of probate. So there would be no point in leaving it off the will.