Genealogy Chat

Hi, this is just a general question about wills & I was hoping that someone can help.

I've found the site where it tells you how to apply for a will:

http://www.justice.gov.uk/guidance/courts-and-tribunals/courts/probate/copies-of-grants-wills.htm

I'm probably missing something that's already there but I want to get it clear in my head,

On Ancestry it mentions my ancestor had a will. i know that it costs £6 to ask for a copy of a will.

There's another question on the PA1S form underneath which asks whether I want a copy of grant of probate or letters of administration. Is this worth having and does it cost another £6?

Many thanks

I've only asked for a Will when one had been made, not the probate that went with it.

It has been suggested that the Letters of Administration give details of those appointed as such, although I have no knowledge.

My reading of the form was that it was £6 for Will/Letters of Administration + £6 for Probate.

A recent Grant of Probate only said who the person was, when they died and where their permanent address was & that Probate had been granted to the (named) Executor and the Executor's Address.

Thanks DET :) That makes it clearer. I think I will just stick to the will then. :)

Thanks again

I'd go for the Will - you can always get the probate when you're a bit more flush. ;-)

I'm sure someone else will know exactly, but I think that:-

a will is a will, alive or dead.
grant of probate is what you get after someone dies leaving a will, and the will is 'proved', ie the wishes are fulfilled
letters of administration are granted for people who have died without making a will.

Doesn't make it any clearer for you though.

Its all to do with Tax! :-D

When applying you can ask for both the Will (if any) and Grant of Administration or Probate (if any). Both of these are covered by the £6 fee.

"If a record is traced, the standard fee includes one copy of the Will, if any, and Grant, if requested." (This is from instructions on the form).

http://hmctscourtfinder.justice.gov.uk/courtfinder/forms/pa1s-eng.pdf

You get the will and the probate record for the same £6. I have just done it - both received yesrerday. You tick both on the form.

I know it is not clear on the instructions but I phoned up to ask.

Takes a little longer than getting a BDMcert - about 3 weeks. Well worth the £6 - so much interesting stuff when you have both docs. :-D :-D

can i just ask...how do you know if someone has left a will? i have seen loads of my ancestors on Ancestry, that have a probate record, does this mean they have left a will aswell?

Alison.

Probate means proving a will, so if probate has been granted, there must be a will.

Letters of administration are granted when there isn't a will and empower someone to administer the estate.

When you find a Probate record on Ancestry you need to look at the image. If it says Administration it means that there was no Will. I believe if it says Probate that there was a Will.

Even if there is no Will you can still send off for the Administration record. I did this recently (after ordering a film from the Family History Centre and finding that there was no Will.) The Administration may give you more information than you will find on the Probate Record on Ancestry.

The one I ordered gave the names and addresses of the administrators (2 nephews) as well as details about the marriage and divorce of the person. Also mentioned the fact that she had no children, parents or siblings.

Well I can't answer the question for all but I pushed some people I've been helping to apply. Some got masses of docs regarding the will which they sent to me. i just sent for this one to follow the process myself so when anybody asks I can talk from experience.

You need the actual date of death first for the £6 option each addtional 4 year search is an extra £4. - just reading from the letter on my desk - I'm no expert.

I'm planning to get more for my own direct relationsl after all £6 is not much :-D :-D
PS - Moonbean has answered the other bit

Thanks for all the reply's, i didn't really know much about Wills and Probates, but it's a lot clearer now, Thanks!

Alison.

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Thanks Suzanne, I'm glad I didn't get the chance to post the forms off yet :) I shall tick that extra box now :-D

Lesley, I have never used a form, I send a letter asking for the will and all relevant papers :-)
And I send it to a local probate office.

oooh, I didn't think about the local probate office.

The very first one I found was at Chester record office many years ago. I was in a long queue for something - probably to the microfilm cabinet...and I was standing next to a lady on the computer...when I looked at the screen it had a wills database for the Chester area. Imagine my amazement when I put in my ancestors name and a will came up!!! I was actually able to look at the will in the office that same hour! I think it was the original that I held of which I've got a copy.

I found another will of one of my ancestor's siblings in London on the National Archives site...i was so chuffed as it mentioned his sister and her husband (my ancestors!)

I've found another London family where most of the siblings had left a will (apart from my ancestor who did leave money though but he didn't write a will) i didn't think it was worth sending off for his details but have selected one of the siblings who was the first to die (I hope she may have mentioned some of the other siblings as she didn't marry) I'll have to send off for the others gradually.

I'm also sending off for one of my Wigan ancestors who was a canal boat builder. I don't know why but I always have a warm glow when I think of that branch of the family. I had no idea that they would have any money to leave anyone let alone leave a will :)