Is there a central registry for wills?
Discussion
This is actually on behalf of my father...
My parents have a very old family friend who died recently, my father was the executor for her first husband who died about 10 years ago and believes he is executor for her as well. She remarried a few years ago to a chap she didn't love but it was for company - all out in the open as he was a devout catholic and he "wouldn't live in sin", a lifetime bachelor. There is a problem as he has pretty severe Parkinson's and communicating is a nightmare.
They know she made a will, new chappie was not to be the main beneficiary but there is no sign of where the will is, the previous solicitor wasn't involved. So, is there a central listing that a solicitor can access to find out if one has been lodged elsewhere. In the absence of the will, they presume new chappie will automatically get the lot...and there is a lot!
My parents have a very old family friend who died recently, my father was the executor for her first husband who died about 10 years ago and believes he is executor for her as well. She remarried a few years ago to a chap she didn't love but it was for company - all out in the open as he was a devout catholic and he "wouldn't live in sin", a lifetime bachelor. There is a problem as he has pretty severe Parkinson's and communicating is a nightmare.
They know she made a will, new chappie was not to be the main beneficiary but there is no sign of where the will is, the previous solicitor wasn't involved. So, is there a central listing that a solicitor can access to find out if one has been lodged elsewhere. In the absence of the will, they presume new chappie will automatically get the lot...and there is a lot!
Jgtv said:
No register unfortunately and yes if she is remarried it automatically goes to the husband.
I would go over her stuff with a fine tooth comb, an invoice from the new firm of solicitors or even the will itself might turn up.
otherwise her family might stand to loose out on anything.
That is what he is doing at the moment but the house is rammed after 90 years. According to neighbours, she did a new will after re-marrying, new chap is a right meanie and there is a suspicion he knows all about it but isn't telling....I would go over her stuff with a fine tooth comb, an invoice from the new firm of solicitors or even the will itself might turn up.
otherwise her family might stand to loose out on anything.
Jgtv said:
No register unfortunately and yes if she is remarried it automatically goes to the husband.
I would go over her stuff with a fine tooth comb, an invoice from the new firm of solicitors or even the will itself might turn up.
otherwise her family might stand to loose out on anything.
Unless, of course, the person lived in Scotland (or wrote the will in Scotland) where the laws of inheritance are quite different, and where subsequent marriage does not revoke a will.I would go over her stuff with a fine tooth comb, an invoice from the new firm of solicitors or even the will itself might turn up.
otherwise her family might stand to loose out on anything.
lots of will writing firms have storage...there is no "central store" and even if there were....it's just like a box at the bank, you aren't getting it without authority.
also - does she have kids? because if she does the laws of intestacy are more complex than "mr gets the lot"
also - does she have kids? because if she does the laws of intestacy are more complex than "mr gets the lot"
Edited by Tiggsy on Tuesday 30th June 11:32
DCS01 said:
lawers should give a half hours time free under legal aid.
Just to correct an often-seen-on-PH misconception, there is no obligation on solicitors to do so - and it's certainly not pursuant to any kind of Legal Aid. That has been all but phased out for civil claims. A lot of lawyers will offer a fixed fee initial interview, or will discuss with you free of charge briefly what your claim is about and whether it's worth pursuing. If the latter, it's in their discretion and they don't get paid for it.
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