Selling late father's shares, is probate needed?

[just_jue]

Hopefully this is the correct section. 

My dad passed away this February and we have found some shares that work out to be around £3000.

This would be the only assets he had as the house etc passed directly to his wife. 

 

After reading the government website it says that estates with less than £5000 don't need probate, but the company who deal with the shares are wanting it. 

 

I've not had to deal with this before and was wondering if there is any way around this.? 

 

Thanks in advance 

[honeybee13]

Hi. My sympathies for the loss of your father.

 

I've moved you to the General Legal forum for advice on this, it' where we put all the probate queries.

 

In my limited experience it's hard to get round organisations who want to see probate for a small amount, but maybe other people will have ideas for you.

 

HB

[Ethel Street]

I think gov.uk says that for small estates probate MAY not be needed, not that it definitely is not needed.

 

Government does not set the rules for the probate threshold. Each financial institution decides its own limits.

 

Good news though is probate is free of estates below £5,000.

[just_jue]

Thank you, I will do some more research.