someone died, where to? the IT forum!

edscdk

edscdk

edscdk

Soldato
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17 Jul 2008
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I could google this i suppose, or just ask random people, but I thought an IT forum would be the best place to ask <because im stupid>

My brother died this week and there is no will,

1) There is a mortgaged house full of belongings now unoccupied,
2) and a body in the hospital,

I guess we speak to a undertaker about item 2,

but item 1, I guess probate will take months?
we need to cancel utilities etc,
how do it get to probate? do we instruct a solicitor?
or where can I get this information?

I assume we can take personal things from the house (in case it gets burgled) can i redirect the post so I get bills etc?
 
Can't help but sorry for your loss, Sure someone on here will be able to guide you on what steps to take. About his body yeah undertaker/funeral organiser advisor kinda people will help on that end
 
Probate is a case of filling in a few forms. Go here for the starting point.

It would usually be next of kin - has he ever been married or are there any direct dependents ? If not, then you or your parents.

You should definitely remove valuables from the property.

You'll need to check the post office requirements for re-directing mail. They may not allow it until they can see a death certificate or probate.

Utilities are easily cancelled by phone - but be aware they will generally issue a bill to pay quite quickly, so be prepared to cover those until you can re-claim the monies from his estate.
 
Sorry for your loss.

I would make contact with the hospital breavement office and they'll help your with th not steps but yes an undertaker would be the first person to contact.
 
I have no advice, I just wanted to say thank you for making a hilarious gallows humour post about death. Very refreshing.
 
Sorry for your loss sorting this out will take time and with no will that makes it more time consuming one good piece of advice i was given when my wife died in january was keep a record of every expense related to this it all comes out of the estate
 
1. Get medical certificate from Bereavement offices at hospital.
2. Register death at local Library.
3. Employ services of funeral director.
4. Apply for probate.

Sorry for your loss.
 
Very sorry for your loss.

Removal of personal items at this stage really depend on values, whether they remain insured and risk of theft.

It's always worth making sure, if the home was his, that the buildings insurance remains valid.
 
Very sorry for your loss.

From experience:

Inform everyone and discuss funeral (ongoing).
You'll need a day or so to take it in.
Get death certificate.
Register death.
Get undertaker.
Get solicitor to sort out estate.
 
Additional;
5. If at all possible remove expensive items from property.
6. Empty Fridge/freezer and power off all plugged in items. Empty bins etc.
7. Turn off or set central heating to only come on for an hour or two during the night if boiler does not have anti-freeze setting.
8. Set-up some lights on timers.
9. Check property at least once a week (remove letters etc).
 
Cosimo said:
Very sorry for your loss.

From experience:

Inform everyone and discuss funeral (ongoing).
You'll need a day or so to take it in.
Get death certificate.
Register death.
Get undertaker.
Get solicitor to sort out estate.
Click to expand...

This.

A decent solicitor makes things so much easier. When I had to deal with it the solicitor took care of most things- sorting out the probate, including writing to my aunt/uncle to have them agree to make me executor of the will (my parents' wills made them executor as they were written before I was 18), setting up a holding account for all the bank accounts and their funds, dealing with inheritance tax (there was none), dealing with the property and getting it transferred to me etc. Think it only cost £550 for it all which was quite reasonable and takes a massive strain off.
 
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