Probate after 1966

[meerkat49]

Does anyone know how I can find out about a will for someone who died in 1978. The person is Ralph Richards who died in the Bristol area.  His parents Henry John Richards who died in 1942 and mother Francis Louise who died in 1947 both left their money to him although there were other siblings and as I understand some problem over a property. Regards Jayne

[*Sandra*]

Hi

As you probably know the Probate Calendars online only go up to 1966, after that date they would need to be looked up at one of the Probate Registrys in England & Wales.

The link below has information on Wills

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/wills-and-probate-records.htm

If you know the date of death you can ask for a search of the Probate Register - think it still costs £6 (or at least it did last year) they look up to 5 years after the death in case there was a problem proving the will and it got delayed.

Sandra

[dawnsh]

I may be able to check this out for you in the week.

It may save you £6 if there isn't an entry.

Dawn

[Catherine Taylor]

Apologies in advance if this is an inappropriate post but I have only just signed up today. I am also trying to find out how to access the probate calendar for post 1966 entries. I have the dates and place of death but have no idea how to access the records. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Lisajj]

I have just sent off for 2 wills from the probate calendar.  It costs £6 for the search and also a copy of the will.  It took a couple of weeks for the stuff to arrive.
I am about to send off for one from the 1990's - I'm not 100% sure there is a will, but there's talk of one!
Have a look here:
http://www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate/family-history

[sillgen]

Hi and welcome
Have a look at http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=403342.msg3673350#msg3673350
It has general information as well as specific London details.
There are various probate centres around England and Wales where you can go to look at the index for all wills.   They are fairly up to date too.

[dawnsh]

Hi Catherine & Lisa

There are chatters who visit the Probate registry in London.

If you post the full name and date of death, I'm sure someone will be able to help do the look-up for you.

Dawn

[Catherine Taylor]

Thank you Dawn the person I am interested in is Eric Edward Cockerill who died in Grimsby on 12 April 1995. His widow Audrey Mary Cockerill died in April 1996. I am not a will chaser only interested to learn whether there are any living relatives.

[sillgen]

You could try looking at www.freebmd.org.uk which may show their marriage.  It is not full coverage though.  Once you have that you can look for possible children with that mother's maiden name.  We can't give details of living people on Rootschat.   The full BMD index is on www.findmypast.com but you have to pay to access it.   There is a possible marriage in Northampton in 1958 to Audrey M Smith - not the ideal name to search!   Assuming they stayed in that area there are possible children so the will may be very useful, if there is one.