Stamp Act 1815

XLVCommissioners of Stamps may give Credit for the Duty on Probates and Letters of Administration in certain Cases.

And whereas it has happened in the Case of Letters of Administration on which the proper Stamp Duty hath not been paid at first, that certain Debts, Chattels Real or other Effects due or belonging to the Deceased have been found to be of such great Value that the Administrator hath not been possessed of Money sufficient, either of his own or of the Deceased, to pay the requisite Stamp Duty, in order to render such Letters of Administration available for the Recovery thereof by Law: And whereas the like may occur again, and it may also happen that Executors or Persons entitled to take out Letters of Administration may, before obtaining Probate of the Will or Letters of Administration of the Estate and Effects of the Deceased, find some considerable Part or Parts of the Estate and Effects of the Deceased so circumstanced as not to be immediately got Possession of, and may not have Money sufficient, either of their own or of the Deceased, to pay the Stamp Duty on the Probate or Letters of Administration which it shall be necessary to obtain : Be it therefore further enacted, That from and after the passing of this Act it shall be lawful for the said Commissioners of Stamps, on satisfactory Proof of the Facts by Affidavit or solemn Affirmation in any such Case as aforesaid which may appear to them to require Relief, to cause the Probate or Letters of Administration to be duly stamped for denoting the Duty payable or which ought originally to have been paid thereon, and to give Credit for the Duty, either upon Payment of the before-mentioned Penalty, or without, in Cases of Probates or Letters of Administration already obtained, and upon which too little Duty shall have been paid, and either with or without Allowance of the Stamp Duty already paid thereon, as the Case may require, under the Provisions of this Act; provided in all such Cases of Credit that Security be first given by the Executors or Administrators, together with Two or more sufficient Sureties to be approved of by the said Commissioners, by a Bond to His Majesty, His Heirs or Successors, in double the Amount of the Duty, for the due and full Payment of the Sum for which Credit shall be given, within Six Calendar Months or any less Period, and of the Interest for the same at the Rate of Ten Pounds per Centum per Annum from the-Expiration of such Period until Payment thereof, in case of any Default of Payment at the Time appointed ; and such Probate or Letters of Administration, being duly stamped in the Manner aforesaid, shall be as valid and available as if the proper Duty had been at first paid thereon and the same had been stamped accordingly.