Inheritance tax /probate

[loveev]

Hi

Posting on behalf of my friend , she has sent all the forms to the inheritance tax office, including the probate forms, original Will and death certificate .

Has anyone done this before ? I was under the impression you sent the IHT forms to the inheritance tax office. Then send the probate forms and Will to the probate office .

Shes hoping that the probate forms and the original Will be sent on to the probate office for her .

Shes only just sent it all off so , hasn't heard anything back yet, and doesn't expect to for a little while .

You are correct - the probate form and will should not have been sent to HMRC. She should have sent the IHT forms to HMRC. She would then have received a letter with a code that she must give on the probate forms. She could then have sent the probate forms and will to the Probate Office. The process is set out clearly on the government website.

I have no idea what will happen now. I hope HMRC will return the will to your friend as she needs to send the original will to the Probate Office with the probate forms.

You are correct the IHT forms go to the tax office and will, probate forms and death certificate go to the probate office, but she needs the code from the tax office to include on the probate forms before submitting - so currently the probate forms are incomplete.

Highly unlikely the tax office will forward them . If your friend is lucky they will send the probate forms back to her but ……. Not guaranteed. Suggest she phones the tax office asap as without the original will probate will become complicated.

my friend called them, they have lost everything . The Original will, probate forms , the IHT forms the lot ! This is going to be a nightmare to sort out .