Losing someone close is hard enough without a maze of admin. The steps below provide a month-long roadmap, focusing on certificates, notifying banks, securing property, and outlining what executors should and should not do. Not to be confused with the probation service in criminal justice, probate deals with the legal authority to manage a person’s estate.
If you are acting as an executor, confirm whether a will exists and who is named as the beneficiary. Many estates can be handled smoothly once you understand when a Grant of Probate is actually needed. For a plain-English overview that aligns with practice, see Understanding UK Probate Law and Procedures.
Days 1–3: certificates and immediate security
Order several certified copies of the death certificate from the registrar. Most institutions will want originals or official copies. While you wait, secure any property. That means changing obvious locks if necessary, removing valuables from view, setting timers for lights, and checking insurance terms to ensure cover continues while the home is unoccupied.
Start a simple estate log. Record every phone call, letter, and cost. This will be helpful when preparing estate accounts and when banks request evidence.
Days 4–10: notify banks and pause payments
Tell banks and building societies promptly. The industry’s Death Notification Service can alert multiple firms simultaneously, reducing the need for repeat calls. Accounts in the deceased’s sole name are typically frozen, while joint accounts usually keep running. Thresholds for releasing small balances vary by institution, so ask each bank what its requirements are under its policy.
- Mortgage provider or landlord
- Utilities and council tax, to put accounts in the estate’s name or pause where allowed
- Insurers, so that the cover remains valid during administration
If a property is solely owned by the deceased, you will normally need probate before it can be sold or transferred. Where assets are modest or jointly owned, probate may not be required, though each bank’s limit differs under its own rules.
Days 11–20: executor essentials under UK probate law
Locate the original will and check for any specific funeral wishes. Identify assets and debts, gather statements, and request share or pension valuations at the date of death. Executors should not distribute money yet, should not sell assets below fair value, and should never use personal accounts for estate funds. Open a dedicated executor account when a bank offers one, and keep every receipt.
If the estate includes investments or company shares, market movements can influence timing, and expert commentary, such as an FT Money piece on inheritance planning, can help you frame questions for advisers. Complex estates may warrant professional support, particularly if they involve trusts or overseas assets.
Days 21–30: decide on probate and plan the next phase
By the end of the first month, you should know whether formal probate is needed. You usually need it where there is property in the sole name or significant balances that exceed a bank’s internal limit. If there is no will, the rules of intestacy apply, and the personal representatives will apply for Letters of Administration. Prepare your application pack, including valuations and any inheritance tax paperwork, and set realistic expectations for timelines.
Before you file, sanity-check liquidity. Executors must settle debts and taxes before making distributions, a point echoed in wider coverage of intergenerational transfers, such as The Economist’s analysis of the coming wealth handover. Keep beneficiaries informed in writing and avoid promises about dates or amounts until you have formal authority.
Quick do and don’t list
- Do order extra death certificates and keep an estate log.
- Do secure the home and confirm insurance cover.
- Do notify banks early and ask about their small-estate thresholds.
- Don’t distribute assets before probate where it is required.
- Don’t mix estate money with personal funds, even briefly.
- Don’t clear the house of paperwork or sentimental items without an inventory and photos.
By following this 30-day roadmap, executors can manage the estate efficiently and clearly fulfil their legal obligations while supporting the family during the initial stages of loss.
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