The Will
Is there a will? If there is a will, the contents should be seen as soon as possible after death, as it may contain directions as to the funeral arrangements.
The will may be among personal papers at home or with a bank or solicitor for safe custody.
Before the estate left by a deceased person can be realised and distributed among the persons entitled to share it, a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration are usually required.
Perhaps the simplest procedure is to instruct a bank or solicitor to act for you. This will not necessarily involve you in heavy expense and will almost certainly relieve you of many worries. If you decide to use a solicitor or bank manager to obtain the appropriate grant, they will need to see a copy of the death certificate. They will also require such items as:
Probate - Where the deceased has left a will, it has to be "proved" before the Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice, after which the executors named in the will are enabled to administer the estate.
Letters of Administration - It is possible to arrange for your Bank or solicitor to act in the administration of the estate where no will has been left. This can be of real benefit to the family faced with complex financial matters.
General - Where amounts are small, it is sometimes possible for them to be obtained without making application for a grant. This applies mainly to assets held by the National Savings Bank but only where the total net estate does not exceed the current figure.
Applying for a grant yourself To make a personal application, it is necessary to obtain a set of forms from the nearest Probate Registry by telephone, letter or personal call to:
How To Arrange A Funeral
The will may be among personal papers at home or with a bank or solicitor for safe custody.
Before the estate left by a deceased person can be realised and distributed among the persons entitled to share it, a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration are usually required.
Perhaps the simplest procedure is to instruct a bank or solicitor to act for you. This will not necessarily involve you in heavy expense and will almost certainly relieve you of many worries. If you decide to use a solicitor or bank manager to obtain the appropriate grant, they will need to see a copy of the death certificate. They will also require such items as:
- Share Certificates
- Deeds
- National Savings Bank Books
- Savings Certificates
- Premium Bonds
- Pension Books
- Insurance Policies in the name of the deceased
Probate - Where the deceased has left a will, it has to be "proved" before the Probate Registry of the High Court of Justice, after which the executors named in the will are enabled to administer the estate.
Letters of Administration - It is possible to arrange for your Bank or solicitor to act in the administration of the estate where no will has been left. This can be of real benefit to the family faced with complex financial matters.
General - Where amounts are small, it is sometimes possible for them to be obtained without making application for a grant. This applies mainly to assets held by the National Savings Bank but only where the total net estate does not exceed the current figure.
Applying for a grant yourself To make a personal application, it is necessary to obtain a set of forms from the nearest Probate Registry by telephone, letter or personal call to:
- Local Office District Probate Registry
William Street
Brighton
W. Sussex
BN2 2LG
Tel: (01273) 684071
- A copy of the death certificate
- Any will or written wishes left by the deceased
- Full details of the estate, i.e. everything possesed by, or due to, the deceased - House, property, cash, bank balance, insurances etc.
How To Arrange A Funeral