Mum passed away recently..

[Kiki7976]

Hi everyone

Recently my mum passed away. 8 was gutted but i know she was terminal. It was her time..an amazing mum.
She had no will. I've called DWP and she's told them. (She had a state pension).
My question is am I automatically executor? I have a disability myself and I'm not great at this kinda thing now. (MS is 15 years).
Will this effect my benifits? I'm on mo means tested benifits. Only contributions based esa.

I am an only child
Many thanks

I'm so sorry for the loss of your mum.

I don't have any answers but hoping to bump for you.

💐

So sorry, my Mum passed away this year too.

Did your Mum own her home or live in rented? Did she have any money in the bank?

You don't have to be anyone's executor if you don't want to be ... a solicitor can do it for you. Perhaps make an appointment with Citizen's Advice to get general help with your situation.

You need to find what financial accounts she had, look through her papers. If you don't want to do it yourself find a solicitor, but if you know approx' what she had and the banks/building societies she used it will be a good starting point. If their isn't much estate you don't need probate, just get death certificates and show to her bank etc and they should release funds. If there is a significant amount of money inheriting could affect means tested benefits.

Thank for your reply.
It all seems pretty raw, being honest. It's only been a few days but everyone telling me what to do (staff etc). They're lively but overwhelming.
I'm sorting certificate and cremation which I think I'm doing ok with.
But am I allowed to do this on benifits? I'm not even sure if it's allowed? I know mum mum didn't have much ( me too) but we tried our best, eh?
She owns no property. Just state pension.

I am on Contricutiins Based ESA. No means tested benifits at all.

There is information on the Citizen's Advice website about wills, probate etc you might find helpful. If you inherit money from your Mum it might affect your ESA -again information on the CA website.

I'm so sorry for your loss, an unbelievably tough time💐💐💐 I second citizens advice, they're great.

As pp said if there isn't much money , and no house to sell it's pretty straightforward. My mum's bank were lovely. If you are next of kin the bank will release funds for you and the funeral will be paid out of that unless she had some sort of plan. You just need death certificate. Do you have help clearing your mum's house ? That was the main hardest thing for me ,it was housing association property and they didn't give much time to clear it and get out. I don't think it will affect your benefits if it doesn't cross the threshold for what you're allowed.sorry op it's hard when you're an only child.

Age U.K. have some really good step by step guides that walk you through what to do if you are the next of kin.

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/dealing-with-the-estate/

Sorry for your loss

You need to speak to the bereavement department of your mum’s bank. They are usually very kind and helpful departments and will help you.

Oh and there's a government scheme called tell them once , which informs all the government agencies like pensions, etc. so you don't have to keep ringing round them all good luck.

Sorry for your loss OP. Clearing the house will be awful so try to get someone to help you. I found all my old school reports, birthday cards from when I was little, Mother's Day cards I'd given to Mum. It all made me cry that she had kept them all those years. It took my sister's and I almost 3 weeks to clear Mum's house. She had kept a lot of stuff. Also a tip if you want to give her clothes to a charity shop donate it to one not in your own town or village as if you do you'll find it hard seeing others wearing her clothes. We donated my Mum's clothes and handbags to a charity shop about 20 miles away.

Thank u for all of your kind messages. I'm finding it all very hard, being honest.

I’m so sorry for your loss.
For now concentrate on the immediate necessities.
Register her death. Hospital or hospice will give you papers you need. It’s helpful to get extra copies of a death certificate to present to banks etc.. They often won’t accept photocopies.
Arrange funeral. In my experience funeral directors are helpful.
You’ve informed DWP so no more pension is paid. I’m not sure if death grants still exist. I’ll look and post any info.

After this it’s a case of informing your mum’s landlord. You’ll be given a date to clear everything by.
And inform utility companies, phone etc..

This https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/bereavement-and-funeral-benefits/how-to-claim-bereavement-benefits/#:~:text=How%20much%20you%20can%20get,for%20up%20to%2018%20months. refers mostly to if a partner has died but there are phone numbers if you scroll down. I think they’d be people in the know if you need any help.

Look after yourself, it’s a difficult time, like being on an emotional rollercoaster and so many firms to fill etc… Make sure you take breaks and look after yourself.

So sorry for your loss - I have been through all this twice since August. Thankfully both parents had wills, but even so it's a tough process.

A quick Google shows that you need to apply for a "grant of representation” to become an executor, before you can do anything else.

If you are NOT on means tested benefits, your benefits will not be affected by any inheritance.

I know it might sound like I'm fobbing you off, but Google will be your absolute best friend right now. I can't believe all the stuff I've had to teach myself using Google, so as to navigate my role as executor.

HTH x