Dealing with Will of husband

[Doozle]

Both my husband and myself made Wills leaving everything to each other. Sadly, my husband died earlier this year. Please, does anybody know what I have to do about his Will? As I am the only person to benefit, do I legally have to do anything? Our house and bank account are in both our names. And if there is action to be taken, is there a time limit? I feel all at sea, and should be grateful for any information.

[bednobs]

all the info you need is here
http://www.direct.gov...eparation/DG_10029799

[Dris]

Apart from the advice bednobs gave you best to see a Solicitor to get yours amended.They'll take the strain from you.Im sorry to hear of your loss and hope you get things sorted out soon.

[237SJ]

I`m not an expert and I expect someone who is an expert will answer your question shortly but I`m thinking that because everything is in joint names you don`t need probate. When my dad died, everything was in his name except the joint current account so my mum could still access that. For everything else, we had to get probate. If he had any wishes about willing things to people, you would the the will`s executor to do that.

[jaydah]

DIY, Make an appointment with local Courts to file the Will. Take death certificate with you. You just 'swear an oath' and sign docs & its done. Probate follows soon after.

[Dris]

I thought it was worth mentioning her will though.Does anyone agree it may be a good idea to revise it at the same time given Doozle left everything to her now deceased husband?

[bednobs]

it depends on the will dris - me and husband have simple mirror wills but there is also provision in it for our assests going to charity if we die together or on the second death

[Buenchico]

Further to what's been written above:

You'll need to submit form DJP, plus proof of your husband's death, to the Land Registry. See Section 4 here:
http://www1.landregis.../public_guide_009.pdf

Form here:
http://www1.landregis...ary/documents/djp.pdf

Locate the relevant Land Registry office here:
http://www1.landregis...nal/areas/default.asp

Chris

[dzug2]

Who did you appoint executor of your wills? If it's not yourselves then that person is the only one who can act, at least initially.

[Buenchico]

If the house deeds show that you were 'joint tenants' the content of your husband's will (in regard to the property) is completely irrelevant. Neither of you owned any share of the house. It was your legal partnership which owned the whole of the house. As the surviving partner, you now automatically own the whole house. (If your husband had left a will leaving his share of the house to Battersea Dogs' Home, that clause would have not been valid because he didn't actually own a share of the house).

If the deeds show that you were 'tenants in common' your husband had the right to leave his share of the house to whomever he chose. In which case you still only your half of the house. You won't own the whole house until the will has gone through probate.

Chris

[Doozle]

Many thanks to all for the information and advice and for your time. It seems the wisest thing to do will be to see a solicitor.

[Meg]

Doozle, so sad, can't give any constructive advice, Think previous posts have given you good guidance.

All I can do is leave a hug for youxx