Help with dealing with DF’s financials after sudden death pls

[Keratinsmooth]

We’ve had a very sudden death this week, totally unexpected. I’m trying to sort everything thing out for my DM. Under taker dealt with.

The will leaves everything to DM. House jointly owned, some bank accounts with money in are in DF’s name, these contain amounts no more than £2500, the account with utilities direct debits is joint. Am I right in thinking that we don’t need to do probate? There are no debts involved, no mortgage.

The deeds can be changed last I guess. The bank will need death certificate, utilities will need to be transferred to DM. Am I missing anything? I’ve looked at the UK gov site and looked at the step by step guide, PM hasn’t happened yet so no death certificate yet.

Approach the bank and ask, they may allow you to change the accounts without probate. The house it depends on how they held it - are they joint tenants or tenants in common? If you tenants you won’t need probate but TiC you will.

I’m very sorry for your loss, try not to worry too much about things at this stage but just catch your breath x

There's a govt link to use which will tell all the govt agencies like pensions, benefits, council tax etc on your behalf, and this will kick off any changes regarding those.

You'll need to contact private pension firms or investments, life insurance. But you'll need DC to progress. There's no need to rush these things. Take your time.

Banks will generally allow your mum to access money in DF name only is small amounts and is being used for the funeral.

Did he have a funeral plan?

Sorry for your loss xxxx

Eventually, you mum may wish to update her will. Depends how it was written and if it included her wishes if DF died first.

Sorry for your loss.

The “tell us once” is a useful service.

Also age Uk has a good list of things you might find useful.

You don’t need to do anything too quickly, although I understand the need to feel busy .

I'm sorry for your loss. I helped my DM when my DF passed away a couple of years ago, once we had the death certificate everything was quite straightforward - the banks altered his accounts to her and took his name off the joint account. There was no probate or anything. There was a really useful website in the leaflets the bereavement service at the hospital gave us which meant you could inform all government services at once (so pensions, benefits, dvla etc) and took the stress out of things a bit.

That's it! Tell us once. Thanks @Katinthedoghouse

Most likely no need for probate.

Get multiple official copies of the death certificate this makes it easier to close/transfer all accounts. You ca ring around and place “holds” on all accounts while you sort out the death certificate.

Very sorry for your loss.

Make a note/copy of everything you do in terms of closing transferring accounts.

So sorry for your loss - we didn’t need probate in a similar situation just had to show the death certificate and the certified will and the bank closed the non joint accounts and transferred the money.
Same with Isa’s and premium bonds although there was a bit more faff with those but they accepted the documents and we did it all by post.
Most places seemed to have a bereavement help line and I was always transferred to that and the people were very kind.
I would say get 3/4 certified death certificates as I didn’t know at the time but a kind local solicitor did some for me at a reasonable cost, as you sometimes have to send them off.
I approached it in little chunks I know my DF wanted things “sorted” as he was worrying but most we did after the funeral and dealt with one financial thing a week.
It’s sad and stressful so take you time