Administration of an estate – what does this involve?

It is usual that when someone passes away, the Executors or relatives of that person seek professional advice through a face to face meeting with a legal professional to discuss the process of administering the estate. Although we are accepting face to face meetings at present (with necessary COVID-19 precautions in place), family members may prefer to seek advice remotely. Our team are still on hand to assist by conducting either face to face meeting at the office, or video and telephone appointments should that be preferred to assist you in making things to make things as easy as possible during these difficult times..

Your initial considerations should be to register the Death (now facilitated over the telephone), register for the Tell Us Once Service and organise the funeral, together with gathering together the estate planning documents. This will include locating the original Will as this may contain funeral wishes.

Next would be to gather information about the deceased’s assets by perusing theirs papers and making a list for ease in understanding the extent of the estate. After this, the organisations should be contacted and their requirements for closure of the accounts obtained. Usually this would be done by attending the institution to give that information however this is probably not possible at the moment. Valuing the assets (notably properties) for Probate poses challenges at present due to social distancing and reduced facilities throughout some professions. We can therefore assist in notifying the institutions on your behalf and making that first contact together with liaising with companies to arrange property valuations should that be required.

The process of administering an estate is always difficult and can be rather time consuming in any event however the Coronavirus pandemic may add further complications. Our team are experienced in dealing with estate administration and are on hand to assist you. Our services include dealing with all or just parts of the administration, including but not limited to –

• Notifying the varying institutions to lodge the death and obtain the relevant documentation for closure of the account;
• Finalising the tax return;
• Arranging Statutory Notices to advertise the individual’s passing to any creditors;
• Obtaining the Grant of Probate on your behalf;
• Arranging closure of the accounts;
• Liaising with bodies such as pension providers and the Department for Work and Pensions to finalise matters;
• Settle any liabilities;
• Gather in the assets and prepare formal Estate Accounts;
• Distribute the estate in accordance with the Will or the Intestacy Rules.

Our services will be tailored to your specific requirements and we can assist as much or as little as you require. Get in touch on 0800 015 0340 to discuss matters further with one of our experienced team members.