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Original poster

Premium Bonds when person has died

21 replies

Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 10:47

Can anyone help me with this please? I tried the NS&I chat (unavailable) but thought I'd try here before I ring.

A cheque has been sent to my DF who died four years ago. He has won £25 on Premium Bonds. We had no idea that he had any as we didn't see anything in his paperwork whilst we were sorting things out for DM. This is the first we knew about them.

Obviously, any investments and money went to my DM. She isn't particularly concerned about banking the £25 but is wondering whether the Premium Bonds are now hers or are they lost as we haven't notified them of his death. He could have put £1000 in there, or £5000 for all we know. We did find a few £5000 investments here and there which we were able to transfer to her. This was done quite quickly though as the paper work was accessible.

Can she claim them now or have we left it too late?

Thanks

OP posts:
MaoamAddict · 09/03/2023 10:51

You can contact NS&I, provide death certificate and will & the funds should be released as per the will or probate

Haus1234 · 09/03/2023 10:52

There’s a phone number under the first question link here - I would probably give them a call but I’m sure it’s not too late and it just happen all the time: www.nsandi.com/help/manage-money-for-others/customers-who-have-died

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 10:54

Thanks so much for your reply. Would it be better to write or ring them first?

OP posts:
Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 10:55

Have only just noticed second post. Thank you.

OP posts:
Notanotherone5 · 09/03/2023 10:57

Probably easiest to ring them

Has probate been granted? Unfortunately this will mean more form filling if so

also, have you used mylostaccount.org.uk for your DF? Premium bonds should have come up through there

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:00

No, no probate. His will leaves everything to DM. My DB and I are mentioned as executors but don't think that comes into play until her death?

OP posts:
Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:01

Thanks for the mylostaccount link. I'll have a look.

OP posts:
NomadicSpirit · 09/03/2023 11:03

It will take about a year to get the funds. Premium bonds are a hassle to get if someone dies, but you will get it in the end.

Can2022getanyworse · 09/03/2023 11:05

My mum had £5 worth of premium bonds, it took one phone call, 1 envelope with copies of the death cert and letters of administration and they sent me a cheque within about 3 weeks. Really straightforward.

Moveforward · 09/03/2023 11:05

Pretty sure they will let you have the information and then the funds released under probate.

You can keep PB for 12 months after death so I don't know what will happen with the £25 win as its longer than that, but I can't imagine there will be an issue on funds release with the right paperwork.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:09

Will the fact that I don't know how much he has in PB matter? I have the numbers and other information from the cheque but nothing else.

OP posts:
Moveforward · 09/03/2023 11:12

No. We didn't know what Mum held nor any holders number.

We gave them all her previous addresses and names and they told us.

You at least have a reference number of sorts as a prize cheque has been issued. We didn't even have that.

SleepingisanArt · 09/03/2023 11:16

Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:00

No, no probate. His will leaves everything to DM. My DB and I are mentioned as executors but don't think that comes into play until her death?

My mum died a couple of years ago leaving everything to my dad. Her executors had to complete probate so you should probably check if you aren't completing it.....

Stepbumpstepbumpbump · 09/03/2023 11:22

My husband had some from when he was a child. They wouldn't release the funds to his mum because I am his next of kin.

She passed the bond info to me, I sent the death notification form and death certificate off (no probate but it was a small amount of bonds so not needed) and I'm pretty sure it was paid within a week or two. This was just a few months ago.

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:23

Why would probate be needed when the will states that everything of his goes to DM?

OP posts:
Chelseagreen · 09/03/2023 11:45

You don’t need to apply for probate if your father left everything to your mother and property was held jointly. If they own their own home have you contacted Land Registry to transfer property to your mother’s name?

Original poster
Guardsman18 · 09/03/2023 11:56

Thanks for the info re probate. I did think so but wasn't sure after a pp's comment.

Is contacting the Land Registry necessary as the home is owned as joint tenants? Surely the house just goes to her as does everything else as per his will.

OP posts:
Chelseagreen · 09/03/2023 12:03

The house will go to your mother but it just tidies up the loose ends for the future if the house needs to be sold for her to move or for you to sell when she passes away. It’s obviously not nice to think of but just that you’d know it was sorted. Also if your dad had an ISA I believe they can’t be passed on. So you would need to inform bank and it will be paid out to your mother.

lionsleepstonight · 12/03/2023 21:25

Each financial institution has it's own limit for when it needs a probrate grant before releasing funds. PB is one of the lowest at £5k. So as long as your Ddad had less than that amount, probate won't be needed. Fingers crossed 🤞

User47328976 · 14/03/2023 19:46

If he has only won £25 in the past 4 years I suspect there isn't that much in there, DF had about £16k in there and won quite a few lots of £25, it would be quite bad luck to have thousands and not win anything much. Hopefully it will all get sorted out quite easily

Saturdayafternoonnap · 14/03/2023 19:51

I would just write to them by post and send a death certificate. They will tell you the amount and will probably send you a form to complete.

They will reissue the cheque for the win, and then send a cheque for the bonds. They will only ask for probate if it is over their limit.

The house will pass automatically as joint tenants. You only need probate if it required for a specific asset.

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