Making arrangements after a member of the family or a close friend has passed away at a time of such raw grief can be a very daungting and upsetting task.
Knowing who to inform, sourcing help with costs, and knowing what needs to be done is not something we do everyday, in this section we try to make you aware of what is needed and where to look for help.
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An informative video of what to do following a death to a family member.
Credit to: GovUKbeta
There can be so many things to sort out in the days following a death, somethings have time limits such as registering the death, this is normally within 5 days but this can not be done until you receive a death certificate from General Practitioner or hospital. If there any delays due to post-mortem or inquest notify the Registrar's office.
When attending the Regitrar's Office to register a death, along with the Death Certificate you will need to take with you various paperwork including ;-
Birth Certificate. Marriage Certificate. NHS Medical Card (or number). Driving Licence. Passport. Blue Badge and paperwork. Pension information. Confirmation of Address.
DEPARTMENT FOR WORK & PENSIONS. (DWP).
Phone or call in to the nearest DWP offices along with the deceased's National Insurance Number and confirmation of address. They will arrange to immediately stop any benefits or pension payments, this will save having to make uneccessary repayments later.
TAX OFFICE. (HMRC)
BANK OR BUILDING SOCIETY
Immediately notify the deceased's Bank or Building Society who will freeze the account and credit cards, you will need account numbers and proof of address and your relationship with the deceased.
GENERAL PRACTITIONER / LOCAL SURGERY.
If the GP was not directly involved e.g. if the death took place at a Hospital, then they need to be notified as soon as possible, any unused medication will need to be returned for disposal.
Notify any Specialist Hospital Departments and cancel any outstanding Appointments.
DRIVER & VEHICLE LICENCING CENTRE. (DVLC).
If the deceased had a vehicle licence, inform the DVLC, you will need to return the Driving Licence as soon as possible.
IMPORTANT WARNINGS:
VEHICLE REGISTRATION
If the deceased was the vehicle's registered owner then the car's Road Tax ceases, the vehicle must be immediately taken off the public highway and a SORN declaration made.
VEHICLE INSURANCE.
If the deceased had car insurance then this insurance cover ceases at the time of death. If there is joint use of a vehicle using this policy then DO NOT drive the vehicle on a public road until you have informed the Insurance Broker and arranged a new policy or cover.
LOCAL COUNCIL OR HOUSING ASSOCIATION.
If the home of the deceased was supplied by the Council or arranged by them via a Housing Association, notify them at the earliest opportunity. If there are no surviving partners then ask how long you have before returning the keys, this will allow you to organize the emptying of the house or flat within the time limitations.
Notify the Council's Council Tax Department to immediately stop payments.
UTILITY SUPPLIERS.
If the accounts are in the deceased's name, then notify Gas, Water and Electricity suppliers.
If there is no remaining partner they will arrange a meter reading,
IF IT IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA
Then at Registraion of Death you can use the Governments 'Tell Us Once' service.
This computerised system will automatically notify most but not all of the above if you have all the necessary paperwork and information at registration.
It can be a very upsetting task clearing out a rented house so close to a passing, giving away or throwing away their personal belongings can feel very disloyal and unsettling.
Unfortunately there maybe a time limitation applied by the owners of the rental, regardless of it being the Local Council, Housing Association or Private Renter.
Once the personal belongings have been shared out with family members, unless you can do it yourself it may be necessary to arrange a house clearance company to remove whatever is left including white goods (appliances), beds and seating. The Council or Rental agent may charge you high amounts for removing and disposing of these.
Rather than send everything to the local waste centre, the items could be given away to those who would make use of them by being offered online sites such as freegle, or to local charitable furniture agencies.
There are various Charities that will take used furniture and appliances, re-distributing them to those in need. It is a far more respectful way of emptying a loved ones house and saves landfil at the same time.
There are endless services offering cheap will writing on the internet, tempting us to use them instead of a solicitor to save money. But are these a good idea?.
Generally you will be asked to fill in a standard form completing the information they need to create a basic will, but these are not personal and designed to create the will you desire. They can often include 'Legal' hidden small print that could syphon off your assets to their company, the £20 or so will creation charge can end up costing you thousands. see example.
Remember: If something seems cheap and too good to be true, then it usually is a dangerous option to take. You can't beat a professional to ensure your wishes are fulfilled just as you wanted, go to a proper Solicitor!
My friend died last November from COPD, he was on much medication and was unable to leave his home, wanting to ensure his Wife was protected and assigned his only asset (his home) he went onto the internet and found a £20 will writing company.
He was asked to tick a box confirming his acceptance of their terms and conditions and aggreeing to make them his 'Executor'.
6 months later I found out what was happening, the £20 service (full name withheld) had already increased their charges to £3,800.00 even without applying for Probate, and there was to be another 4% of the total estate value plus Disbursements to be taken out of the house value of £80,000.
I read a Daily Mail article from 2018 exposing this company si I contacted them again, many other victims have come forward and the Daily Mail is urging any others to get in touch. Although it is evidently legal, it is certainly bad practice on behalf of the companies involved.
I read a 2018 expose on the daily mail website , I contacted the daily mail again, other victims have come forward. It’s legal, as he ticked the box , he was on lots of pills, The daily mail is seeking other people who have been caught in the £20 will writing web that ends up costing many, many thousands, Ben.Shepherd@dailymail.co.uk. That’s the guy going to hopefully shine sunlight on the dark practices of the 9 minute will writing company
Credit to: UK Care Guide
Credit to: Moneywise
Credit to: FreeAdvice.com
Information and downloadable Will Templates can be found below.
New Rules.
Credit to: Scottish Widows
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Bereavement Advice & Support.
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