Sorting out your loved one’s affairs

There can be many things to take care of when someone passes away and it may seem confusing. Remember, there is no rush to do any of the following, but you may find this useful as a prompt for things you might need to arrange.

Letting people know

As well as letting loved ones know, you will likely have a number of other people to notify, including:

Employers Bank or building society Personal pension providers Insurance companies Dentist, Optician, GP or other medical professionals Utility providers Mobile phone company TV licensing Subscriptions or memberships Rental companies Professional advisers – i.e. stockbrokers, financial advisers, accountants, solicitors etc.

It is important that you notify only and do not act on any instructions or requests without checking who will be dealing with the Estate.

Dealing with the estate

When a person dies someone has to deal with their Estate – the money, property and possessions they left – by collecting in all the money, paying any debts and distributing what is left to those people entitled to it.

As soon as you feel ready, steps should be taken to start the process of dealing with the Estate.

If your loved one made a Will, it may be held at their home, or by a bank, solicitor or a trusted friend or relative. The Will specifies what should happen to their Estate and nominates the person, or people, entitled to deal with their Estate – known as their Executor(s).

If there is no Will, an ‘Administrator’ will need to be appointed through the Probate Registry to deal with the Estate and distribute it to the people who are entitled to it. The person entitled to act as Administrator is determined by Parliament and specified in the ‘Intestacy Rules’; it is usually the nearest surviving next of kin or relative.

Probate is the Court authority; given to those who deal with a person’s Estate, either as an Executor or as an Administrator.

Being an ‘Executor’ or ‘Administrator’ is a huge responsibility, the obligations of which may go on for months, or even years.

You may find it useful to engage a solicitor to help with your loved one’s affairs. They can explain the process, as well as highlight any help or support that may be available. Look for one who specialises in this area and is regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to make sure you’re getting the best advice. There will be a cost for solicitor’s services but these costs can be paid from the Estate if there are sufficient assets.

Stopping unwanted mail and phone calls

You can register the name and address of a deceased person with Stop Mail to help stop unsolicited mail.

T: 0808 168 9607

E: stopmail@bereavementsupport.co.uk

W: www.stopmail.co.uk

Accessing financial support

Bereavement Support Payment

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months.

You must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to get the full amount. You can claim up to 21 months after their death but you’ll get fewer monthly payments.

Bereavement Support Payment has replaced Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension), Bereavement Payment, and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.

You could be eligible if your partner either: • Paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year • Died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work

When they died you must have been: • Under State Pension age • Living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits