Probate help! How do I know what my dad had in his savings accounts to give value of estate?

[BiBiBroccoli]

I recently lost my father and am sole executor for the will. He had lots of stocks/shares/bonds and I think he has a savings account. His other bank accounts (and various properties) were in joint names with my mother so don't think I need to include that money in the value of his estate?

I think I can track down all the share info and work out the costs but i can't find any paperwork for the savings account/bond. I know the bank but if I contact them are they able to tell me the amounts? I need to get the info in order to get the grant of representation. I am so confused and the probate info online just says I need to give the value of assets but doesn't explain whether institutions will just give this info out.

Can anybody shed any light?!! I so want to sort this out for my mum without a solicitor is poss, but have never done anything like this before.

I think if you send the bank the death certificate and a copy of the will they will tell you. An executors authority is derived from the will, not the grant of probate. Would be different if there wasn't a will.

Ok great. I will call the bank tomorrow and see whether I can pop in with the documents. I am finding it all so overwhelming and the forms are all so bloody complicated!

My dad will be chuckling at me as he was brilliant at this sort of thing.

You may have to make an appointment with the bank. They can be very formal about this sort of thing. I think if you can prove your are his executor though then they should assist you.

Can you ring the probate office for advice btw?

Thanks NorthernLurker, yes will call probate helpline tomorrow.

I have the will here and am named as executor so hopefully it wont be too complicated.

Don't forget when you go to the bank that you will need to take proof that you are who you say you are. So passport and utility bill or similar.

As best I can recall from when my late husband died, the joint accounts did need to be declared as did the value of our home which we held as joint tenants. I was the sole residuary beneficiary under his will but joint accounts, etc. were deemed to have been owned 50:50 before death so half of the value was taken into account. I was still able to operate the accounts.

Is your mum the sole residuary beneficiary? I.e. other than specific bequests of specific items or sums of money does she inherit everything?

Hi IamtheZombie - yes my mum is the sole beneficiary. They co-own 4 properties and have several joint accounts plus various other things that were in my dads name.

Good to know she will still be able to operate the accounts. I really do have no idea what I am doing so am very grateful for the advice!

BiBi, please take professional advice. I'm only speaking from what I remember of my personal experience. My more recent experience was obtaining probate for my MIL's estate but that was just a number crunching exercise.

Send out an SOS for Mumblechum1. She's the best one to advise you properly.