Executor needs to keep direct debits going?

[PersephoneParlormaid]

I’m my uncles’s executor. He’s left a house that needs electric for the house alarm, and the house insurance require it to be working. The bank have closed his account so how do I keep the direct debit going while probate goes through?

I had a current account which didn’t pay interest just in my name. No problem getting the money paid into that from financial institutions. Got any bills sent to me so I paid them. Make sure you notify the house insurance. The company my dads house was insured with honoured the policy but couldn’t renew.
regarding interest it’s £1000 as a basic rate tax payer and inland revenue do know as the banks have to inform them. I am paying mine thorough my tax code.
Most companies have a bereavement department if you want any help please message me. It’s hard enough and then you have to deal with the paperwork

Request to speak to the bereavement team at your uncle's bank, rather than the general call centre (you may need to make an appointment). They are usually very good and can guide you through the process

Yes you’ll pay tax on anything over £1000 of interesting your a basic tax paying I’m doing mine through my tax code too!!

Most bereavement lines for banks and stuff are super helpful I found!!

Putting it in a separate account, that none of your money is in, will be sufficient. Banks are loathe to open executor accounts these days because of the money laundering risk

Really? I opened an executor account no problem at all. Just had to take my documents, plus probate and death cert/will into a branch.

Really. I’ve seen it multiple times. Once my firm refused to pay sale fees from a probate sale because it wasn’t into an executor account, until the executors explained that they couldn’t get one opened.

Interesting. Not my experience at all. Very straightforward.

Yes, fair point re: interest.

i was assuming it was being paid into a current account therefore interest payments negligible.

Perhaps re-read my post. I was referring to income not interest. No exclamation marks required.

Just use a current account that doesn't pay interest - there are plenty around .

Yes you do, it's not your money, is there a will, and you a beneficiary, no inheritance can be paid out until all debts and assets are settled, I'd call the banks bereavement line, which bank is it.

With which bank ?
When I was looking for an executors account some banks didn't do them and others need you to already have got probate / letters of administration. With Nat West you have to open an account in your own name first and they will only convert it to an executors account once you have probate.

It also required me to go into a branch with copies of will, probate , ID etc which given the number of branches being closed can be an issue in itself.

So I’ve been and got an executor account, but I can’t get at his money to maintain his house. They will only pay out when probate is reached.
So the utilities will have to be a debt until I can pay them, and any repairs will have to wait, or I’ll have to pay them myself and claim it back whenever probate is reached.

Providing you let the utility companies know and that the property is going to be put on the market as soon as probate is obtained they shoud lbe ok with that.

The one thing you may need to try to find cash for is for insurance for the property as you can't really take the risk of not having it insured, especially if unoccupied and empty.

@P00hsticks yes, the gas/electric said that they are happy for the debt to sit until probate is reached. The account is in credit at the moment, so that’s good. And as it’s only minimal being used, they might end up owing me money!
Luckily the house is insured, but not for contents as the price was ridiculous.
The solicitor said not to do any work other than necessary, as the house has been been valued so will be sold as seen.