Form PA12 & PA1A Probate Application

Blunt1nstrum3nt

Hello everyone, bit of advice please.

According to intestate succession my father has recently been informed that he is the nearest living relative and therefore sole beneficiary to a small estate.

This estate belongs to his Auntie, she died at the age of 103 with no living children, brothers or sisters. She unfortunately died interstate.

The estate is probably worth no more than £8k with three Life Assurance Policies, and we are told a few refunds due from the care home she was in.

My father, at the age of 78 he doesn't feel able to deal with this and he has asked me to apply for the probate. I should note he is in good health and sound of mind, just not confident with these sorts of things.

Since my fathers auntie died interstate I understand I need to apply for a Letter Of Administration, so I can be granted authority by the courts to 'administer' the estate, but as my father is the nearest living relative, I understand he has to nominate me first by way of a Form PA12 to act in this regard.

Do I complete this Form PA12 first and send it off - what happens next, what should I expect.
I assume I will get some sort of confirmation this has been agreed by the courts, and then I can complete and send off Form PA1A Probate Application as the nominated person.

Can someone please confirm if I have understood this correctly and I am following the correct path. I would also be grateful for some idea on timescales.

If there is any other advice on this matter I would be grateful.

Thank you.

RAS

Given how small this estate is have you checked if the banks etc actually require probate/ administration? Many will transfer sums up to £50k without on receipt of a copy of the death certificate and evidence of relationship although NS&I often have a £5k limit.

Blunt1nstrum3nt

Thank you for this. Any ideas how would we provide evidence of the family connection.

Regarding my email in the general sense, if we have to apply for probate/administration, am I going down the correct route.

RAS

I'd start by asking the care home what documents they have relating to auntie?

Does your dad have a copy of auntie's death certificate? Does he have photo ID? 

Draw out a family tree, so dad's grandparents, his dad and auntie plus any other aunt and uncles. And dad and any cousins. Hand drawn should be fine. Include dates of birth and death. See what documents you have to support that, just so you know. This is a much to prove there are no other claimants as that dad is related to auntie.

Then, if possible get yourself and dad together with a phone and call the life insurance companies. They may have different requirements, there are basic rules but they could interpret them differently. Suggest your dad speaks to their bereavement department first, and then to hand over to you. Ask them what evidence they need of the connection and any documentation they require.

I'd suggest dad sticks round, and if he wants you to do the work, he asks the insurers to accept you as his "agent." You may also need to provide ID, or they may want dad to write to them/fill in a form.

Ask the care home if they need probate, as well.

You may be lucky, you may find one company that sticks, but it doesn't prevent the others paying out. Do check the value by the way, we found one policy which would pay out little more than the necessary postage.

Blunt1nstrum3nt

 Thank you RAS for your time and comments, much appreciated.