Problems during the administration

Death abroad

Where death occurred on a service vessel offshore or among service personnel or their families overseas, the death should be registered by the relevant service department and then with the relevant local authorities.

Otherwise, where a death has occurred abroad:

1. •

   the death must be registered in the country and area concerned

2. •

   the doctor’s medical certificate of the cause of death obtained, and

3. •

   a legal death certificate must be obtained

There are also various specific requirements where the deceased’s body is to be repatriated.

For more information, see Practice Note: Death abroad.

Lost Will

It is possible to secure a grant of probate in relation to a copy or reconstruction of a lost Will by making an application for an order admitting it to proof as contained in the copy or completed draft or reconstruction under rule 54 of the Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987, SI 1987/2024.

If it is known that the Will was in the possession of the testator at their death and it cannot be found after their death, there is a presumption that it was