Wills and probate

[CaroleW]

These are the IHT limits from 1986

http://www.rootschat.com/links/01k0i/

[EeyoreBlue]

Thank you.

[EeyoreBlue]

Ok, I have a little more information.  The first one (1989), the person died from suicide.  My friend was told that due to this, the life insurance was invalid and there was no money.  If the probate says X amount, does that mean that there was money involved or that there was none?

The second one, my friend has been told that she was a beneficiary (she was under 18 at the time of death), but she has not received anything from the Will, hence wanting a copy.

Does anyone know if you can go to a probate office to get a copy or do you have to order them in advance?  I'm fairly close to the office involved this week, and if possible, I'd go in and get a copy for her.

[dawnsh]

It's best to order online through HMCTS

https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills

All historic wills are deposited at a storage facility in the Midlands.

Probate offices only have the ones that have just gone through the process not ones dating back to the 1980's/1990's

There must have been a sum of money at the outset for the probate to have gone through the legal process. However, there may not have been anything left after funeral, legal and possibly creditors expenses have been taken care of.

Your friend may have been a named beneficiary to a legacy but if there was no money left she wouldn't have got anything. Or the funds were left in trust and she needs to come forward. It could also be for example that she was left say £100 and the solicitors have spent that money looking for her.

[EeyoreBlue]

Would a probate record show creditors? £70000 seems a lot with nothing left over.  Also although it was suicide, we think the coroner recorded it as misadventure due to mental health so there may have been life insurance

[mazi]

No the probate record won't show creditors.
The life insurance is not relevant as, if it is paid it is paid to the named person on the policy and does not form part of the deceased persons estate.

Mike

[mazi]

According to the government website the probate valuation is the value after any known debts or mortgage have been deducted.

I don't think it was any different in 1989/1990.

The first one is an administration, so the rules of intestacy apply.
The second one, you need the will, then if your friend is named you will have to find the executor, a bit difficult after 27 years

Mike

[AntonyMMM]

Also although it was suicide, we think the coroner recorded it as misadventure due to mental health so there may have been life insurance

If you have a death certificate then the coroner's verdict will be on it... coroners will often record misadventure or accident in cases where there is any doubt at all about the intention of the deceased even when it appears to be an obvious suicide. The coroner's  decision is what really matters.

[Jebber]

No the probate record won't show creditors.
The life insurance is not relevant as, if it is paid it is paid to the named person on the policy and does not form part of the deceased persons estate.

Mike

Unless the named person is the life assured, I know from personal experience.