What is probate and when is it required ?

[tomandrew]

Just wondering if anyone could explain in plain english wht probate is ? a friend died abroad in the US but had English assets> Uk Bank has insisted on a grant of probate for UK assets how to we obtain this ?

[factor-fiction]

http://www.direct.gov...eparation/dg_10029799

[Buenchico]

A grant of probate is a court order authorising the person, to whom the grant is awarded, to distribute a deceased person's estate in accordance with the terms of his/her will.

See here:
http://www.hmcourts-s...vil/probate/index.htm

Chris

[tomandrew]

Thanks for your help and the websites. I have spoken to a solicitor who has explained that i will need to obtain probate in the states and then apply again in the UK due to the different legal systems, apparently the UK courts dont recognise the US grant. The site i used had a seperate foreign probate section which was useful.www.probate.cc

[askyourgran]

Hope you don't have to wait too long I've been waiting 8 months now for my mothers will to be finalised, and that is straight forward. Can't help thinking the money is at the solicitors bank earning interest.