Anyone knowledgeable about death/wills?

[lucysmam]

I'm asking for my dp. His dad died on Friday. As far as we can see, his dad left no will.

Dp wants to know whether we would need to involve a solicitor to move his dad's belongings back here (from Poole, to Doncaster)?

I hope that makes sense, I've got no idea at all & am floundering a bit.

(Dp's dad lived with a dp as well...we're not sure whether she could stop us? Dp and his brother have already agreed that their dad's ashes will remain there as he had built himself a good life down there, they just want the physical "stuff" here - stuff like army medals he had when they were little mainly)

Tia if anyone can make sense of that garbled post

With no will you will have to apply for Probate. You do this via the probate office and can find all the details online. It's not hard and you don't need a solicitor apart from if you need to swear an oath I think.
Anyway, check how to get probate on,one and it should tell you everything you need to know.
I have never done t but my brother did when my Father died.

Thank you, Hopping, I'll have a look in the morning.

I've just looked on the government website, it says to apply for Probate you need three copies of the will plus any changes that have been made to it.

We don't have a will to send so I'm guessing that's not relevant.

I think dp is hoping that someone in authority will be the one to tell his dad's dp that she can't just do what she wants to do with his things.

This might help:

www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/if-the-person-didnt-leave-a-will

I think you should see a solicitor or at least phone up the Citizen's Advice Bureau and see what they have to say. Not sure if you can just enter his home and take his stuff if he shares it with a partner. But I don't blame you for wanting to.

It's not a Grant of Probate you need, it's a Grant of Letters of Administration.

As to his belongings, bear in mind it's hard to know for sure what was "his" what was owned jointly and what he might have given to her.

Do you have a good relationship his his DP? If so, try and keep it that way; grief can bring out the worse in people, it's understandable, but can be very, very upsetting

Solicitor is a good idea. We'll make an appointment first thing.

(dp doesn't want to just walk in & take btw, but she has been a bit funny with us the past week & I think he's worried she'll just crack on & do as she wants)

X posted with you Sea, thank you.

I'll look that up in the morning.