Use of Probate Services

Sew_Late

Has anyone used a Probate Service (fixed fee) that they would recommend?  I've seen it's possible to do it yourself and I might have to if the fees are too high.  There's no property or assets but there is about 100K cash. 

Rodders53

DIY probate is easy enough.

Guides readily available on here and elsewhere.

You have to do all the legwork on assets and values to supply to any paid for service provider so not a lot of effort is saved.

Likely to be quicker, too... which may not concern you if an Executor of a Will but not a beneficiary.

Keep_pedalling

Don’t do it, probate is not a difficult process and using professionals adds significations delays as well as costs.

You may not actually need probate if that £100k is split across an number of financial institutions as most will release the cash without probate as long as it does not exceed their probate limits which with most banks is £50k.

You will get plenty of help on here is there is anything you are unsure of.  

jmr95

Recently tackled this myself. In case it helps, I wrote a post on my experience 

Yours sounds pretty straightforward 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6634438/diy-estate-handling-my-recent-experience-england#latest

RAS

Any NS&I certificates? Otherwise, you may not need probate.

The only issue might be if there's a lot of family tension. Otherwise, DIY. If there's a sticky bit you can ask specific advice from a lawyer, etc and charge the cost to the estate.

Sew_Late

Keep_pedalling said:

Don’t do it, probate is not a difficult process and using professionals adds significations delays as well as costs.

You may not actually need probate if that £100k is split across an number of financial institutions as most will release the cash without probate as long as it does not exceed their probate limits which with most banks is £50k.

You will get plenty of help on here is there is anything you are unsure of.  

Hi, there's 67K in one account.  There are 2 others with less than 50K each. I'm not sure if there's anything anywhere else.  I've not seen any paperwork - would you know if there's a search or way to check that, please? 

Sew_Late

jmr95 said:

Recently tackled this myself. In case it helps, I wrote a post on my experience 

Yours sounds pretty straightforward 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6634438/diy-estate-handling-my-recent-experience-england#latest

Thank you, that's really helpful. 

Keep_pedalling

Sew_Late said:

Keep_pedalling said:

Don’t do it, probate is not a difficult process and using professionals adds significations delays as well as costs.

You may not actually need probate if that £100k is split across an number of financial institutions as most will release the cash without probate as long as it does not exceed their probate limits which with most banks is £50k.

You will get plenty of help on here is there is anything you are unsure of.  

Hi, there's 67K in one account.  There are 2 others with less than 50K each. I'm not sure if there's anything anywhere else.  I've not seen any paperwork - would you know if there's a search or way to check that, please? 

You will need probate then. 

https://thenbs.org/practical-support/unclaimed-assets

RAS

Assuming the deceased was in England or Wales?

Is there a will making explicit who the executors are? If not, it called administration.

Also what was the deceased housing situation. If rented or in care the home needs clearing as quickly as possible. 

Re funeral costs, those can be billed by the director to one of the bank accounts.  

Sew_Late

RAS said:

Assuming the deceased was in England or Wales?

Is there a will making explicit who the executors are? If not, it called administration.

Also what was the deceased housing situation. If rented or in care the home needs clearing as quickly as possible. 

Re funeral costs, those can be billed by the director to one of the bank accounts.  

England. No will. Some rent owing from money but not a lot, Funeral costs sorted out.

RAS

Good so far.

Can the family agree

1. To give notice to vacate the tenancy? Who is the LL?
2. That some (or two)  in direct line of inheritance will sort out administration with the Probate Registry, if needed to release funds.
If not, they will still sort out assets, debts and distribute the remainder in line with the rules of intestacy.