Help regarding Probate...pointing in right direction?

[hamshanker]

Im just after some information and guidence in regards to a parents will..

Myself and my sister have been named as executors and trustee's of the will and both have a copy of it.
Do i have to contact the solicitors that witnessed and signed the will and is there likely to be any more information held with them regarding funeral wishes etc?

Regards to probate am i better off going through solicitor or is it simple enough to do it by myself?

Like the title says im just after little guidence on the subject or some useful friendly information.

Cheers

 

[Hobbit]

Honestly, don't be executors. Have the solicitors do it. It isn't the mechanics of doing the job, or probate, that's the easy part. Although its a difficult, heart breaking time. Its the potential arguements that can happen at a time you might not be thinking straight, and the long term damage they can do to family relationships.

Seriously, for the sake of a few hundred pounds, get an expert to do it.

 

[chellie]

Assuming a solicitor has the original will you'll need to collect it.

Probate can be easy to do yourself but can be time consuming depending on what information you've to get together. I did it myself for my Dad's but for father-in-law's we used the solicitor as we had so much else to cope with as well. Cost was negligable for the stress it took off me as it was me who had to do all the running around, sorting stuff out etc etc Also, probate was through much quicker using the solicitor.

 

[chellie]

Honestly, don't be executors. Have the solicitors do it. It isn't the mechanics of doing the job, or probate, that's the easy part. Although its a difficult, heart breaking time. Its the potential arguements that can happen at a time you might not be thinking straight, and the long term damage they can do to family relationships.

Seriously, for the sake of a few hundred pounds, get an expert to do it.

We've not found it any problem being executors as the will is straightforward.

Mind you the only people who have chased for money so far has been the RNLI and they're not entitled to any anyway as FIL's will stated they only got some money if he survived his wife and he didn't.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

I'm currently executor to 3 estates, my fathers and 2 he was working on which I have "inherited" .

It isn't difficult to do, the forms are on the interweb , if the will is clear and straightforward then go for it.
If the will is complex or you think there may be a bun fight, then get a professional in after checking their fees

 

[hamshanker]

Well im not expecting any arguements over things as there is only me and my sister and we are very close..

What kind of information etc does the solicitor get together?...reason im asking is when looking through some paper work it looks like theres a couple of savings accounts and i know she had bonds ..so is this the type of stuff he will look at and get together?

 

[williamalex1]

Best let lawyers deal with it.In Scotland Claims can made against estates for a year ??after the estate has been settled and money distributed to named beneficiaries.
As executers you would be liable to pay any justified claim made ,out of your own pocket. Not sure if it's the same in England though.

 

[freddielong]

Go and speak to your local probate office as long as you are able to fill out a couple of forms you should be able yo do without the massive cost of a solicitor.

 

[The Green Fairy]

Well im not expecting any arguements over things as there is only me and my sister and we are very close..

What kind of information etc does the solicitor get together?...reason im asking is when looking through some paper work it looks like theres a couple of savings accounts and i know she had bonds ..so is this the type of stuff he will look at and get together?

Sounds easy, don't bother paying for professional help if the estate is modest and uncomplicated. It is just form filling and they are self explanatory. One of you may need to step aside from the application and agree to let the other party deal with everything. This will save the two executors having to be present at the signing you both retain rights though.

It really is very easy if the will is uncomplicated and the estate is not liable to inheritance tax.


Try to do it yourselves and if you find it gets complicated then seek professional help - but it will cost a lot.

 

[hamshanker]

Thank you very much for replies they are really appreciated and helped ..ill have a look at maybe doing it myself first and always got solicitor to fall back on .

 

[Kellfire]

My dad avoided making a will, probably out of fear of his own mortality, so we (well, my mum) had to go down the annoying route of probate. It's slightly different in Northern Ireland but she was so scared that someone would come out and contest everything passing to her. Thankfully, no one did but it took longer than expected to get it all resolved.