General Chat

Whilst I was in Sheffield ...in fact the 1st day I hit Sheffield I went to a bank that mother used to try and open an account for probate. This was 13th May. I explained that I lived in Spain and had no UK address. After 2 hrs they gave me an appointment for the Thursday 15th.
Thursday and I arrived and I explained again that I needed a UK account for probate for my late mothers estate etc etc etc. Can´t see a problem they said BUT they wouldn´t say yes.
I said I would like some idea because I go home next week and need to get this sorted. Don´t worry they said.
Monday 19th I called in there. Processing they said don´t worry. I said look I am only here for another 2 days and I need to sort this. Don´t worry we have spoke to head office-
Wednesday 28th May the bank phoned ..sorry but we have refused your application
Why I said.The answer ....... Because you don´t have a UK address :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0 :-0

I am sure I should have been annoyed but I was so gobsmacked seeing as I had been telling them all along that I do not have a UK address I live in Spain, and them saying yes we realise this but it´s a probate account you are after.
Glad I was so . :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S :-S because it meant I didn´t swear at them down the phone.
Anyways I thought okay be posh try for an offshore account. Fingers crossed xx that I get that ;-) ;-)

If some of her estate is still in UK accounts, you might be able to instruct them to transfer the ££ directly to HMRC.

Some banks are just plain awkward. A Halifax advisor told me that the IHT had to be paid with 'new' ie my own money. Thank goodness a quick phone call to the IHT help line confirmed that they were wrong. Its too easy to go round in circles - can't use money invested in the stock market...need Probate to release it.. but need to release it to pay the first instalment of the IHT

Det all Mums money is in UK accounts and all but me of the beneficiaries and Mombasa (and thats a UK trust) are in the UK, hence the reason for wanting a UK executor account.

I did phone4 HSBC and they said yes no problem but you will have to apply in person, I checked flights etc and then phoned back and they said oh no you don´t have a UK address. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

They don't make it easy, do they?

Do ask them if they will transfer the money on your behalf - as they will (normally) settle funeral bills directly, they might be able to send it where it needs to go with out you having to open an Executor Account. TBH, I was never asked to do that. The accounts were frozen for normal transactions, that is I couldn't write 'normal' cheques against them, but was able to arrange for HMRC to make a claim for the IHT against the accounts.

Another thought - do they have a tie-in with a Spanish bank, or even a Spanish Branch? You might be able to open a sterling account with them..........unless you then get tangled up with Spanish tax regulations. If you have a UK solicitor, what do they advise?

Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline (HM revenue and Customs)

9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday
Closed weekends and bank holidays
0300 123 1072
If you're calling from abroad please telephone:
+44 115 974 3009

Det thanks for all that if I had not been through it all for the last year and now crawling out the other side ( a tad battered and bruised) I would have kissed your feet,
I have probate YES they were so fantastic to me turning up in the UK that they sorted me in 8days and the letters followed me home. I have everything except a ruddy sterling bank account. lol

It must be a nightmare for you, but you're nearly home free ;-)

Pay it into mine Uzzi!

Seriously it's so frustrating getting things done these days. In the good old days, personal Bank Managers could use common sense and sort things out so much more simply.

Hope you get everything co ordinated soon

Lizxxx

Would Santander help. They have UK banks don't they?