Death overseas, no will, how to close U.K. bank accounts and release the money

[Aydel]

Hi - I’m helping a friend whose husband died suddenly overseas the other week. They had retired to an EU country from U.K. (he was British, she is not) twenty years ago and most of his money is tied up there. The current account was in both names, and had a minimal amount of money in it, but he had a savings account in his name only, with in excess of £50,000 in it.

I’m aware from when my Mum died that this building society wouldn’t release funds if the account had in excess of £50,000 in it, without a grant of probate. Does anyone know what would happen in this situation - death overseas, not resident in U.K. Would they need to go through probate/letters of administration in U.K. to get the money released?

To clarify, most of his money is tied up in U.K.

I am not a probate lawyer but I think she can apply for a grant of probate in the UK.

Google this: probate in uk after death abroad

Sorry for your loss

This is from UK Government website

You will probably need copies of the death certificate

https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death

No will the next of kin if married (the spouse) can apply for letters of administration. Contact the bank first they will probably still need sight of the original overseas death certificate first step.