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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: Jeffrey on Friday 03 April 15 23:38 BST (UK)
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Hi List
I have two death in Eltham and I have found the probate records in the 1920's. Can anyone tell me how and where I apply for their wills.
Thank you
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http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/looking-for-person/willafter1858.htm
Pauline
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Make sure that it does actually say there is a will, otherwise you will waste £10. If it just says Administration or Grant there isn't a will.
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Thank you both very much for the replies.
I have checked whether a will or just Administration. One does in fact say Administration so won't send for that one. Thank you.
Have now found the form to apply by going through the National Archives site.
Thank you both.
Judy
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Sorry, didn't realise that you didn't have this site
https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills
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Thank you for that site. It has made ordering easier than what I was trying to do. :)
Just to say I've hit a milestone my 1000th post ;D
Judy
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Congratulations ;D
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Thank you for your help.
The will I ordered is very interesting because on it it had Administration granted to someone else the year before in 1924 which I thought odd.
When I look at the grant of Administration it is to an Estate Agent.
I see on the will it says 'Pendente lite' which I believe may be because the will was contested. Does anyone know where I can find out more about this?
Judy
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"Pendente lite is a Latin term meaning "awaiting the litigation" or "pending the litigation" which applies to court orders which are in effect while a matter (such as a divorce) is pending."
I wonder whether the will couldn't be found and so letters of administration were granted and then the will turned up?
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Thank you for your reply
Could have been lost BUT.............................
It was just made 8 days before his death and
Thomas was a bit of a wheeler dealer -in 1904 he was a divorcee, 1912 declared bankrupt, his 2nd wife left him and in 1917 his 3 younger children were neglected and were taken away to school. So how was it by 1924 he had accumulated £12,000. (over £600,000 today) Which he then left in a will to his common law wife. No mention of any children.
Just wondering if someone contested it. He had 3 older children too who had done rather well for themselves as they had been privately educated.
I am wondering if someone did contest it if there would have been a court case or what happened?
Judy
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Try local newspapers?
Would it also have been newsworthy enough to make the likes of the Daily Mirror?
If you post his surname, I'll take a look.
Dawn
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Hi Dawn - thank you.
He was called Thomas Rees and lived at Glenesk Rd Eltham. Died 21 Mar 1924
Probate was awarded to Ellen Hawtin 123 Grangehill Rd Eltham on 11 Jul 1925.
The previous Letters of Admin was awarded to William Henry Browning an Estate Agent on 22 Aug 1924.
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Can't find anything online (The Times, FindMyPast or Daily Mirror) so maybe they case wasn't that newsworthy and just took time going through probate.
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When the solicitor was dealing with my mother's will, we were asked whether there was anyone else who might have a claim ie any more children who hadn't been mentioned. Maybe this was asked and the answer was that he had children, so that held things up?