Genealogy Chat

The value of the estate is not a deciding factor.

If will exists, is valid and subsequently proved, then there will be a Grant of Probate appointing one or more Executors who are then obliged to deal with the estate in accordance with the terms of the will.

Grant of Probate should have a copy of the Will attached, so it should not be necessary to order this separately.

If there is no will or the will is invalid or can not be proved for whatever reason, then Letters of Administration will be granted to one or more Administrators, who then have the power to deal with the estate as they themselves see fit, to those who are entitled to it, under the rules of intestacy.. The Administrator is often the person or persons who are the main beneficiaries.

Yes, you still pay £5 per Will even with the information from Ancestry. I received the three I sent for this morning and I got two Wills with the letter of administration and grant of probate with them and one just a letter of administration as he had died intestate. I sent for these on 12th August and they arrived this morning.

Kath. x

The £5 fee is for a copy of the Will/Administration. It includes the cost of a search so it would be the same price even if you know the exact date etc.

The Probate Office are a bit busy at the moment so don't expect an instant response - allow several weeks.

Jill

Thanks for all your replies, it seems looking at the tips board concerning Administration/Will, you get what you pay for.

I have found about 4 documents which I aim to send for, it has cost me £5 per will from York in the past, does this mean that I will have to pay for 4 at £5 even when I have told them where the Administration or Will was proved ect: ?

Regards
Tox

letters of administration can still be useful. I have one where the person to whom the permission was given was named complete with his address which confirmed I had the right family.

When my mother died I was granted "letters of administration" and she DID leave a will.

Not sure whether this was because both my brother and I were named as executors but only I went to court.

Kath. x

Thank you Helen in Bucks, you explaines that to me very well, some of the administrations are for small sums of money, when I find an administration which has large amounts left I will send for a WILL and hope to find out about more members of the family.

Thanks again

Tox

My trusty encyclopedia of genealogy says that "letters of administration" were developed to deal with the problem of intestacy, i.e. dying without leaving a will. They generally exist where there are larger or more complicated estates, as often small amounts / simple estates with only a few possible beneficiaries were settled without one.

This seems to say there will be either a will or a letter of administration but not both and sometimes neither.

Hi everyone, can someone put me straight please.
I have searched on Ancestry Wills and administrations and come up with a few "ADMINISTRATIONS" for my families.
Does ADMINISTRATION mean there is a WILL or not.

Thanks
Regards
Tox