ESTATE ADMINISTRATION PROCESS

Petition For Grant Of Probate

Procedures:

    1)     The Trust Officer will take possession of the following relevant documents from the Testator's family: -

a)  Original Will

b)  Original death certificate and photocopies of the following;

c)  Land Titles

d)   Share certificates

e)   Fixed Deposit receipts

f)    Bank Saving passbook

g)   Insurance policies

h)   Motor car registration book

i)    Agreements

j)    Documents of indebtedness and income tax file

k)   Other relevant papers

   2)       Reading of the Will and discussions with the deceased's family members regarding deceased's assets and liabilities.

  3) BHLB Trust Officer will ascertain assets from the information obtained from the beneficiaries or in circumstances where the beneficiaries are not sure then the Trust officer will instruct panel lawyers to ascertain by writing to the Banks, Insurance Companies, Registrar of Companies, Land Office, Municipal Authorities, etc

   4) BHLB Trust Officer will ascertain debts and liabilities from the information obtained from the beneficiaries or in circumstances where the beneficiaries are not sure then the Trust officer will instruct panel lawyers to ascertain by writing to banks etc.

   5)  BHLB Trustee's panel lawyers then will prepare the list of assets and liabilities and list of beneficiaries and prepare Petition for Probate and affidavit for witnesses to the Will to affirm before Commissioner of Oaths.

   6)    An authorized signatory of BHLB Trustee will sign the Petition for Probate and return it together with 

             the duly affirmed affidavit by the witness to the Will to the Solicitors for filling in the High Court.

   7)    The authorized signatory must attend court on the date fixed for hearing of the Petition for Probate.

  8)    BHLB Trustee's panel lawyers will then extract the Grant of Probate and obtain a few certified copies.

  9)    After receiving the Grant, the panel lawyers under the instructions of the Trust Officer will take early steps to realise the assets and publish Notice for claims in the Government Gazette.

10)    After realising the assets, the Trust Officer will take steps to settle the debts and liabilities.

11)    The Trust Officer will then make distribution to the named beneficiaries.

12)    The Trust Officer will distribute residuary estate according to directions contained in the Will after the settlement of liabilities.

13)    BHLB Trustee's Accounts Department will prepare the full statement of accounts.

14)    The Trust Officer will distribute the accounts to the beneficiaries of the residuary estate at the time when payment is made to them.

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