I’m handling most of the probate myself, but there is one bit I’m more comfortable getting professional help on. That’s getting the house moved into my sole name – we bought it as “tenants in common” which means it doesn’t automatically come to me, rather the ownership gets transferred in accordance with his Will. So although Chris did indeed leave his share to me, I don’t want to screw up the legal side, so decided to ask the solicitors to draw up a “Deed of Assent”. While I was there, I also thought I’d better get them to draw up a new Will for me, as my old one is now out of date (there’s not much point leaving anything to Chris…..).
The business took about 15 minutes, and was very straightforward. But when I’d finished, the senior partner popped her head round the door and invited me into her office. At least, I think she’s a senior partner, though she must be at least semi-retired by now, I’d have thought. She was at antenatal classes with my mother, forty-mumble-mumble years ago, and hence has known me since I was a baby. So at least there was none of that tedious business of having to prove my identity to the solicitors, as she could vouch for me since birth! Her son is three days younger than me, and we always went to each other’s parties when we were little. I’ve blogged before about how Malvern often feels like a small town, but I didn’t expect to go to the solicitors and end up reminiscing about tea-parties I went to when I was four!
{ 4 } Comments
I’ve been quite for a while but still following blog.
Pleased to hear that everything (eventually) is getting sorted – a long drawn out process. You did not comment on whether solicitors can afford coffee or tea! (And, shock, your previous post re bank, surely they had a few biscuits?)
Talking of which I (and J if outside work hours) would be quite happy to have a coffee and chat anytime – though I realise for some work (has to?) come first!
Q
Thats interesting, when we bought our last house the solicitor got us to put it in such a way any changes like death of partner would be ‘easy’ to do. I must go and dig out paperwork to see if it says what it was.
Found it : “benefical joint tenants” as opposed to “tenants in common”. Says both parties own the whole property and in event of death all that needs to be done is file a copy of death certificate with the deeds.
Yes – that’s the alternative, easier way to do things. With hindsight, we probably should have done it that way too, but at the time “tenants in common” seemed more appropriate.