Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Lying about probate - reasons?

15 replies

alpacamaraca · 08/05/2023 12:14

Can anyone enlighten me as to why someone would lie about probate being granted?

Grandfather died over a year ago and the family members dealing with the estate have told my DF probate hasn't yet been granted. It has as I've checked online but I can't / don't want to admit that.

It makes no sense to me and DF would like to everything sorted and settle funeral expenses if needs be.

So not to drip feed, there's little / no inheritance as far as I'm aware.

OP posts:
JustMyOnion · 08/05/2023 14:06

Just tell them you know it has been - why don't you want to say?

Premiumbondbaby · 09/05/2023 00:47

@alpacamaraca in my personal experience the executor liked the power of being in charge and frequently told me “legally you are not entitled to ….”. They were clearly pissed off when I knew probate had been issued as they didn’t want me to know.

Other reasons are the executor doesn’t want to be pestered to distribute the estate when there are still steps to go through. If the estate is minimal they may be concerned whether or not they there are sufficient funds to cover debts e.g. funeral, as they are personally liable if they get it wrong.

inloveandmarried · 10/05/2023 01:02

We are still waiting for probate. The person died two years ago! It's taking so so long right now.

GasPanic · 11/05/2023 20:07

alpacamaraca · 08/05/2023 12:14

Can anyone enlighten me as to why someone would lie about probate being granted?

Grandfather died over a year ago and the family members dealing with the estate have told my DF probate hasn't yet been granted. It has as I've checked online but I can't / don't want to admit that.

It makes no sense to me and DF would like to everything sorted and settle funeral expenses if needs be.

So not to drip feed, there's little / no inheritance as far as I'm aware.

Is it possible that the solicitor has not informed the executors yet ?

Sometimes solicitors just let stuff sit in a pile because they are busy and don't do anything until they are contacted.

Maybe if the estate is small the executors haven't bothered to chase it up and so the solicitor hasn't done anything.

How long ago was probate issued ?

determinedtomakethiswork · 11/05/2023 20:11

Think of someone they respect but someone they are not likely to speak to and say to them that's really odd that you say probate has been granted because when I spoke to Mr X he said that it should have been by now and he told me to check the government website. I've checked the website and it says it has been granted.

People like that really hate other people knowing what's going on.

CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 20:15

If probate has gone though, and there was a valid will, you can order a copy for £1.50. I did this with my father's will (we were estranged) and found some very surprising things that were the opposite to what relatives told me (I don't think they knew that wills are public).

Original poster
alpacamaraca · 11/05/2023 20:40

CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 20:15

If probate has gone though, and there was a valid will, you can order a copy for £1.50. I did this with my father's will (we were estranged) and found some very surprising things that were the opposite to what relatives told me (I don't think they knew that wills are public).

Will the executors or solicitor be informed if I order a copy?

I feel like it's none of my business really but DF is putting off booking a holiday in case he needs to pay the funeral fees.

OP posts:
Original poster
alpacamaraca · 11/05/2023 20:43

@GasPanic this is also possible, they are probably the type of people that don't like to 'bother' solicitors.

Probate was granted in October 2022.

OP posts:
CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 21:21

alpacamaraca · 11/05/2023 20:40

Will the executors or solicitor be informed if I order a copy?

I feel like it's none of my business really but DF is putting off booking a holiday in case he needs to pay the funeral fees.

Show quote history

Nobody is told. Lots of wills are requested by people doing research, they are all made completely public, by law. They email you a PDF of the scanned will, or if the person died intestate, a document saying that. Also a document saying the value of the estate.

CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 21:23

At least I got a document stating the value. I don't know if they always send that.

Original poster
alpacamaraca · 11/05/2023 21:30

CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 21:23

At least I got a document stating the value. I don't know if they always send that.

Thank you

OP posts:
CharlottenBerg · 11/05/2023 22:50

alpacamaraca · 11/05/2023 21:30

Thank you

Show quote history

Since they are available to anyone, you could use someone else's email address if you were worried.

Original poster
alpacamaraca · 12/05/2023 07:50

I've downloaded a copy, the estate and a few personal belongings have been left to the 2 executors.

My conclusion is they are possibly putting their heads in the sand over the funeral fees (to which DF is happy to contribute) or it's at the bottom of the solicitors pile as a low priority small estate.

Thanks for all your replies.

OP posts:
Premiumbondbaby · 12/05/2023 09:02

@alpacamaraca funeral expenses are paid out of the estate. I would suggest your DF forgets about them as it’s not his responsibility to pay. Unless he organised the funeral then he becomes a debtor to the estate.

GasPanic · 12/05/2023 12:39

alpacamaraca · 12/05/2023 07:50

I've downloaded a copy, the estate and a few personal belongings have been left to the 2 executors.

My conclusion is they are possibly putting their heads in the sand over the funeral fees (to which DF is happy to contribute) or it's at the bottom of the solicitors pile as a low priority small estate.

Thanks for all your replies.

I think it would be unlikely that they would be able to bury their heads in the sand over the funeral fees.

The funeral companies are normally fairly aggressive about collecting the balance. In my case the invoice for the balance went to the solicitor and was paid out of the estate within a couple of months of the funeral following a couple of repeat invoices to me (that didn't get to me for various reasons).

New posts on this thread. Refresh page