hi brucie
i too am waiting for probate to be concluded,but i have done daves with our lawyer.it has taken ages so far,and it was only last week,(i think) that i had to go to lawyers office to swear on oath,in front of yet another lawyer.YES dave did leave a will,but they told me that as he had money in his own name ...I.S.A.s that then everything has to go to probate.i even had to get the house valued..NOW it gets sent to winchester court,,,,and depending on how busy they are ,she said (anything from 5 days to 5/6 weeks)...as you all know dave has been gone over 16weeks now,,,,so i hope it doesnt take too much longer.
like you say its so very painful,having to go through a sort of losing him all over again,,,only on paper.
AND again,one is NOT allowed to give any bequeaths,until you have the GRAND OF PROBATE ORDER/CERTIFICATE...THEN LAWYER WILL SENT OFF t land registry to have daves name taken off the deeds.it is awful we have to do these things,but it saves a hella.of.a.lot of complications when it is my turn.
by the way,,,i hope that is not for years yet.
i do feel for you brucie,you are there for all of us,and im sorry i dont contribute that much advise to antone.
take care....love normelle xx