The easy guide to dealing with probate
5 STEPS TO TAKE WHEN SOMEONE DIES
There’s a lot to sort out when a loved one dies and probate can seem daunting, but it’s actually easier to manage it yourself than you may think...
1 Register the death
Within five days (eight in Scotland) attend the Register Office for the area where the death happened and take the following documents: medical certificate of cause of death, birth certificate and marriage or civil partnership certificate. They will then supply you with a copy of the death certificate. Save money by requesting up to five copies of it at once as most companies and financial institutions require them as proof. Ask if the Tell Us Once service operates in your area to report the death to all Government organisations in one go, including council tax, passport, benefits etc
2 Consult the Will
A Will outlines how assets are to be distributed and establishes who the executor (the person authorised to deal with the estate) is. If there is no Will, intestacy rules govern how the estate should be distributed and the next of kin can apply for what is known as a ‘grant of letters of administration’.
3 What about Inheritance Tax?
The executor will need to submit a form to HMRC to see if the estate is liable to Inheritance Tax (IHT). If there is tax to pay, this will need to be settled before the Grant of Probate is issued.
4 Apply for the Grant of Probate
This proves the executor’s authority to administer the estate. Complete form PA1 (for help, contact the probate and Inheritance Tax helpline on 0300 123 1072) then send the completed application, including form PA1, an official copy of the death certificate, three copies of the original Will and any codicils (additions or amendments to it) and the Inheritance Tax form, to your local probate registry, along with a fee of
£215, made payable to HM
Courts and Tribunals Service
(£155 if using a solicitor).
5 Swear an oath
The executor will need to swear the oath that the information supplied is correct. You should then receive the grant through the post within ten working days.