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I always thought that using estate meant something rather large, not the very tiny details that popped up in this case.
Makes me think I should have a will myself, but I don't really know who I'd want to leave anything to.
Marriage automatically revokes a pre-existing Will.
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The probate forms and inheritance tax forms look intimidating but actually aren't that bad as long as you don't mind a bit of phoning around to get values for investments etc. Also, the guidance notes that come with the forms are really good, plus there's plenty of 'law made simple' websites that are very helpful.
The really important bit with the will is making sure that the wording for the witness bits is exactly right. My dad's will didn't explicitly state that he signed in the presence of the witnesses, or that the witnesses signed in his. Caused a delay since we had to trace the witnesses and get them to sign an affidavit. Not sure what would have happened if the witnesses had both died, but suspect the will would have been invalid and monies would have been distributed as the law dictated rather than as my dad wished.
If you don't understand the concept of probate though I think it's a dangerous thing to be writing your own will. The ramifications of screwing it up can be immense. Even gettting simple wording wrong can cause huge problems. Go to a solicitor. It's not that expensive. Using Will Aid it's even cheaper
As Hal9000 just said, Probate is NOT always needed. In my Folks' case my Mother had to get probate after Dad died, but only because he had more than 10K or so of premium bonds. (National Savings require the probate stuff for a certain amount - they don't require it if less.) The bank, pension etc. didn't need this.
She filled in the probate stuff herself, no solicitor needed. (Someone in the know told her what to do.)
A general comment - my folks got their wills done for £99 each. However after Dad popped his clogs and we trundled off to the solicitor, we were a bit surprised to get an informal estimate of maybe £1000 or more for them to handle everything for her. She decided to do it all herself (including the probate form) and I think most of it was sending various people copies of the death certificate (she got around 5-6 copies). Not too complicated if you are the surviving spouse and there is nothing complicated in the will and nothing unusual in the deceased's accounts.
(I think her only slight problem was the deeds of the house - as a solicitor hadn't handled everything, she couldn't just rely on it being left in the solicitor's safe afterwards. She sold the house later anyway which dealt with that, but it would be wise to check up on this point. Sorry for drifting off topic.)