Checklist When Someone Dies: A Comprehensive Guide for Navigating Loss
Facing the loss of a loved one is an incredibly challenging and emotional time.
Amidst the grief, there’s a need to navigate through the practical matters that follow.
If you find yourself wondering what to do when a loved one passes away, our comprehensive checklist when someone dies will serve as a guiding light during this difficult journey.
From locating the Will and registering the death to dealing with insurance and Probate, we’ve compiled a handy guide to help you take the necessary steps and find the support you need during this sensitive period.
1. Find the Will
The Will is usually stored with the deceased’s important papers at home or with their solicitor or bank.
Ensure you find the most recent Will and that it is the original. Significant problems may arise if a more recent Will is discovered later.
The Will is usually stored with the deceased’s important papers at home or with their solicitor or bank.
Ensure you find the most recent Will and that it is the original. Significant problems may arise if a more recent Will is discovered later.
The Will will tell you who the deceased wanted to deal with their estate (the appointed executor(s)), who their beneficiaries are, and sometimes their funeral wishes.
If a Will cannot be located, there are rules (the Intestacy Rules) that tell you who can deal with the estate and who will inherit it. But you must ensure you have conducted the proper searches to protect yourself.
2. Register The Death And Arrange The Funeral
Contact the funeral director you trust to look after your loved one and their funeral wishes.
Remember to check if the Will contains any specific funeral instructions.
Check to see if a prepaid funeral plan has been purchased or if the funeral has been pre-arranged.
You must usually register the death within five days by appointment at the local Register Office.
The doctor or hospital will issue the medical certificate confirming the cause of death, which is usually sent directly to the Registrar.
It is easier to deal with the estate if you buy enough death certificates to send to each financial organisation. Using the Tell Us Once service, which the Registrar will tell you about, is also a good idea.
3. Check Who Has Keys To The Property
If you are the executor, find out who has keys to the property and retrieve them.
If you’re not sure, change the locks to avoid the risk of valuable items or documents going missing.
4. Check The House And Contents Insurance
Check that the terms of the insurance cover are suitable.
Notify the insurance company about the death as soon as possible, especially if the property is empty. The insurance company may add conditions you need to follow to ensure you are not personally liable for loss in the event of damage, fire or theft.
It is advisable to settle any outstanding premiums, which you can later reclaim from the estate. This is to ensure that any policies do not lapse.
5. Notify All Organisations Of The Death
Send all banks, financial institutions and utility companies the death certificate and details of who to contact about the estate.
6. Do You Need Probate?
Probate is the term we use to describe the authority the executors need before they can transfer the deceased’s assets to the beneficiaries.
This authority comes from the Probate Registry and is called a ‘Grant of Representation’ or a ‘Grant of Probate’.
You do not always need a Grant; it depends on the assets the deceased owned.
A Grant will be required to deal with all property/land and some other assets, such as shares and bank accounts, depending on their value.
Each company/organisation has their own financial limit of the amount they will release without a Grant.
7. Obtaining a Grant of Probate
First, you will need to find out what assets and debts the deceased had and how much they were worth.
Then you can determine whether any Inheritance Tax is payable, what reliefs are available, and what forms/information need to be sent to HM Revenue and Customs.
If there is Inheritance Tax to pay, you need to deal with that first.
In most cases, you can submit an application for Probate online.
Check the guidance carefully because there are some situations when you must apply on paper.
Don’t forget that you can appoint a solicitor or probate expert to make the application for you.
8. Consider Taking Specialist Advice
If, at any stage, you feel lost or overwhelmed, please talk to a probate expert who can help you with the next steps.
Their costs will usually be paid from the estate.
Summary
The blog offers a checklist to guide individuals through the process of dealing with a loved one’s passing.
We hope it emphasises the importance of finding the Will, registering the death, and considering a prepaid funeral plan.
Additionally, it highlights the need to notify relevant organisations, check property and contents insurance, and determine if Probate is required.
If assistance is needed, Bennett Griffin’s team of Probate specialists is available to provide advice and support, with a no-obligation quotation offered for any required services.
You can contact our Private Client department at 01903 229999 for further assistance.