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General => The Common Room => Topic started by: teach3r on Tuesday 03 November 20 16:15 GMT (UK)
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Thank you in advance for any expertise, wisdom or advice that can be given.
I usually don't have a problem finding a will or probate but I have come up short with this one.
I am looking for the will or probate of Ann Carol Harris but cannot find it. Ann died April 7th 2003 in Neath, South Wales. She was born in November 1946 in Denbigh, North Wales (maiden name Eustace).
I have used: probatesearch.service.gov.uk which I usually use but have not had any success.
My understanding was that even if there wasn't a will, there would be a record of the grant of probate?
Thank you again for any help that can be given.
Nic
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If she did not leave a will - there is no probate
If she left assets and no will - depending on the assets - somebody can apply for a grant of administration
If there is no entry on https://probatesearch.service.gov.uk/#wills then neither applies. No will and no admin
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Just a thought, are any of the people that are mentioned on your attachment still living, if so you would be better removing it from your post.
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Thank you for your advice Rosie
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Even if a will is left, and acted on by the executor, it doesn't always follow that probate has to be applied for.
It depends on what (if anything) the person had as assets when they died. With smaller estates, an executor can often deal with the will, and distribute the proceeds, without having to make an application for probate and in that case there will be no record of the will at all beyond any copies held by the executor/family.
Ownership of a property would normally need probate to deal with, but even that may not if it was held as joint owners with someone and therefore passes automatically to the survivor's sole ownership.
Same with administration where no will is left -a family member could deal with a small estate without leaving any record.
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Thank you Antony for taking the time to reply. I think that everything was automatically left to the next of kin (i.e. from wife to husband) without the need for a will or therefore, as you have said the need for probate. I am sure that the house involved was also held in joint ownership. Thank you again for your help.