Bereavement

Register: the death within five days in England (different timescales apply to different parts of the UK so please check these). You will need to obtain a medical death certificate from either the hospital or doctor and then complete the official registration at a register office. Upon completion you will also get other relevant documents such as a burial certificate. Find a register office

Locate: the most recent Will (if there is one). Solicitors are likely to have a copy of this on file but we can also hold a copy for existing clients, do not hesitate to contact us if you are struggling to locate it. Final wishes may be recorded in the will regarding the funeral, charities and chattels, so it could be useful to look over the will before finalising any arrangements. 

Inform: there may be many people who need to know the deceased has passed. Letting family and friends know in the first instance can be one of hardest stages of the process, experiencing others grief along side your own can be emotionally challenging. You will also need to inform third parties such as banks and the relevant government departments What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once

Assets: CroweFPUK will have an understanding of the asset base of existing clients, any outstanding liabilities and any inheritance tax planning undertaken to date including financial gifts for existing clients. In addition to this, going through all documents, files or paperwork the deceased held will take time but help paint a clear picture for you as executor.

Inheritance Tax: now you have a clear picture of the estate, you will need to work out if inheritance tax is due. Our 'Inheritance Tax: Could it impact  you' article provides more information.

Probate: not every estate needs to go through probate and working out if this applies to the deceased’s estate is an important part of this process. Probate procedures vary in length depending on the complexity of the estate; with more complex estates taking more time along with other assets which may be harder to sell.  You can administer probate yourself or you can appoint a professional to undertake probate for you, but this will incur charges. 

Assess: You may be entitled to non means tested bereavement benefits from the government, known as Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) which you can check on the government website. Bereavement Support Payment: How it works | Bereavement Advice Centre | Bereavement Benefits.

Mail Suppression: you can reduce the amount of junk mail received via this service to reduce any undue distress Bereavement Advice Centre | Junk Mail Suppression Service.

Ask for help if you are struggling, there are many services out there that are experienced in dealing with bereavement and how it may uniquely impact you. Do not suffer alone as the right support can be invaluable during this turbulent time.