Genealogy Chat

My cousin died recently and I am trying to help his sister who no longer lives in the UK.
She needs to know if he was divorced from his wife or just separated and whether he made a will.

Is this sort of info freely available online and where can I find an answer to these questions ?

Thank you
Sue

Information on Wills can be found here and you should be able to send for a copy for a small fee

https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview

You'll not find a recent divorce online. If he did divorce a long time ago, you might, if you're lucky find details at the national archives

Do you need us to help you find his (ex) wife? Or any children they might have had together?

Thanks gins...........love the lyrics. Always loved Annie's song :-)


Hi detective,
No thank you, we are in touch with his wife and children. Just not sure whether they were actually divorced like he said they were.

Sue :-)

Jus don't know how to find out if he made a will or not.

Or if his divorce was finalised ?

Hi Sue

The link I posted you above is where you can apply for a copy of the Will, if there was one, they will send you a copy

Information from the National Archives...........DIVORCE.

The survival rate of divorce case files is:

1858-1927: almost 100%
1928-1937: 80%
After 1937 : less than 0.2%

However, IF a divorce DID take place you can ask for a copy the Decree Nisi & Absolute, if there is one then this would prove that a divorce took place.

You can either.........

Contact the court where the divorce, dissolution or annulment took place to get a copy of a decree absolute or final order.

Find the address and phone number for the court by using the court finder.

If you know the case number,
a copy of a decree absolute or final order costs.....£10.

If you don’t know the case number, the cost is..... £45.

If you don’t know which court to ask

You can ask the Central Family Court to search for the decree absolute or final order, This will cost .....£65.

Central Family Court
First Avenue House
42 - 49 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6NP

If you’re paying by cheque, make it payable to ‘HM Courts & Tribunals Service’.

If you are in touch with the wife and children, why not ask them if a small memento was mentioned in the will for his sister, or similar wording?

And then see what response you get.

Thanks everyone.
Looks like no simple answer without knowing IF there was a divorce or IF a will was made.

Thanks patchem, she doesn't want anything. The problem is a little more complicated and not one I can really discuss online .

Sue :-)

Sue

There is a simple answer, contact the probate service!

If you are in touch with his wife, how can you not know if they were divorced?

As for the Will, if there was one, unless it went to Probate there won't be a record

Thanks again.

Like I say, its difficult. Wife is behaving like they are still married and is next of kin but my cousin told everyone they were divorced many years ago.

His sister is confused, having lived abroad for many years she just wants clarity.

Sue

Just take the advise

Absolutely .
Thanks gins :-)