Rating: 5 out of 5

Really easy to read book helping to deal with getting through probate in the UK. The sample letters were really helpful. This book gave me the confidence to do it myself.

Highlighted passages:

In law, the person who dies is called ‘the deceased’, the uncompleted financial matters are known as ‘the estate’ and the person who is given the legal authority and duty to wind them up is called ‘the legal personal representative’ or more shortly ‘the personal representative’.

three main steps involved: 1 Obtaining the information necessary to prepare the papers to obtain the grant of representation. 2 Preparing and lodging the documentation to obtain an inheritance tax assessment and the issue of the grant of representation. 3 Registering the grant in connection with the various assets and giving instructions as to how they are to be dealt with, for example transferred to a person entitled on the death, sold or cashed and collecting what is due to the estate.

in order to finally wind up the money matters one must: 1 finalise the income and capital gains tax positions 2 pay off the debts and discharge the liabilities of the estate 3 distribute the remaining assets of the estate to those who are entitled to them (that is, the beneficiaries).

If there is a valid will the person to apply for probate is the executor appointed by the will or by any valid codicil to the will.

Each bank or building society should be written to at an early stage with a copy of the death certificate and most will also require sight of the original or a photostat copy of the will. A statement of the balance standing to the credit of each account including accrued interest as at the date of death should be obtained and if there is a passbook it should be enclosed to be made up to date.

Life and endowment policies For these policies, write to the company concerned and try to deal with head office rather than the local office. The head office address usually appears on the policy document, but it might not be the latest address and the company name may have changed. In that event it might be necessary to visit the company’s website or, if the name has changed, to enquire of the Financial Services Authority or the British Insurance Association. The value of a policy which matures on the death of the deceased is the amount paid out by the assurance company.

Reasonable funeral expenses, including the cost of a tombstone or memorial plaque and mourning expenses for the immediate family, can also be deducted.

If the deceased was receiving a pension (either state or private) or national insurance benefits, the payers should be written to with a copy of the death certificate to enquire as to any sums underpaid or overpaid and repayable.

Originally posted to my Goodreads account