09 Mar 2015

A question about : DIY Probate

Although I've completed the forms for friends and neighbours in the past, things changed last year, and there are far more to complete. Also I felt that doing this for my late DH would be too upsetting, so I had a free consultation with a solicitor, to discuss fees.

I soon decided that writing my late husband's name a few times wouldn't be as distressing as writing the solicitor's cheque (!), so I downloaded all the forms, and sent everything by registered post last Saturday.

I was heartened to see the cheque was banked on Wednesday, but amazed when I received the Oath today. All I have to do now is visit the solicitor on Monday to swear the Oath, which costs Ј7, post it back to the Court, and I should get the Grant of Probate in a couple of weeks.

I was advised to use Ipswich, as they have a quicker turn around process. So for anyone debating whether or not to DIY, especially if they're the only Executor, it's not too bad at all. HTH

xx

Best answers:

  • That's the easiest bit.
    Doing the enquiries filling in the IHT forms collecting and distributing the assets can vary from a very simple task(very common) to something of increasing complexity.
  • I agree with the op. My mother in law died on November 16. The will was simple. I did the diy probate and the final grant turned up on 9 January. 54 calendar days from start to finish, and that included Christmas as well. Total cost was Ј217 to the probate registry and Ј7 for the oath.
    And of course several hours spent reading up on the forum. Money saving expert really lived up to its name!
  • My Mother paid a solicitor to do all this for her when my Dad died (with a Will). She could also have done this easily herself as I have subsequently discovered when dealing with the forms for someone else.
    Pity I wasn't living in the country at the time, or she would not have been lining a solicitor's pocket. Yes, not everyone will feel 'capable', but no harm in obtaining the paperwork & taking a look FIRST!
  • I've decided that once I'm mobile again (foot op in a couple of weeks, and then 4 weeks recovery), I'm going to offer my services at the CAB, with my speciality being form completion.
    xx
  • SandraScarlett, this may be a silly question, but when the letter of admin/grant of probate arrives, what does it actually say? I mean, does it specify each bank or building society? Or is it a generic type document that can be shown to each financial institution?
    My relative had (as far as I know) two small bank accounts, with just enough for one of the bank to request LoA, so do I need to get multiple copies to show each bank or will one one be sufficient?
  • Thanks for starting this thread. I have gone through probate before for my Dad but as most things went to my Mum it was fairly straight forward. On Tuesday my Nan passed away and I find myself the sole executor of her estate (as Dad was the other executor) and with an IHT400 form to complete as she is over the inheritance tax threshold so I'll need to use Grandad's unused allowance to avoid tax. I've never even sold my own house before let alone anyone else's and then there's all her belongings. Do you get someone in to go around and tell you if there is anything of value or just take a guess?
  • You should individually value anything that has an OMV at date of death of more than Ј500, otherwise broad-brush estimate is OK, sensibly backed up with some photos. Or you can get a house clearance / local auction house to come round and give you a value, which will stop any stressing about whether you've got it right or not. Bear in mind that house contents are typically worth very little - you don't need to look at every item and assess what you might get on eBay for it, for example, as the cost of the effort of selling it on that basis probably exceeds the value of most items. And most houses will contain no items with an OMV of > Ј500, antiques, collections etc aside. Typical value of contents for a 4-bed house is about Ј1500 - very different from what you might insure it for, because it's a completely different basis
  • ok its early days for me (only 5) but I looked at the forms yesterday, I wanted something positive to do that did not involve possessions or cleaning. I downloaded the forms and filled in most of the probate form, stumbling now at the IHT part but a bit at a time over the next few weeks. I needed something to do
    Would I have to go to a court to swear the oath? I would have to go to a busy town and I live 45 miles away in a tiny village, I am not confident driving the car in that busy manic town with all sorts of traffic problems, in fact the idea is completely scary especially since my husband drove the (new) car all the time
  • Kittie - I think you can do the oath at a local solicitors if there is one nearer than the 'busy town'
    And do make sure you are insured to drive the car - the policy will probably have lapsed on your husband's death
  • When the forms come back you have a choice to make an appointment at the local probate office or go to a solicitor of your choice.
    If you choose a solicitor it costs approx Ј7 but tends to be much quicker than making an appointment at the probate office.
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