Applying for Probate

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What do I do when someone dies?

Losing a friend or loved one is a very stressful time, with many people needing to be notified in the first few days. In addition to the immediate tasks you need to attend to, such as arranging the funeral, there is a lot of paperwork to be dealt with and official documents which need to be completed over the next few weeks. 

Most clients think they have to get everything done as quickly as possible, and this is not true. We can advise on what's necessary now, and what can wait. We offer different service levels, from full probate handling to simply giving advice. 

Our advisor will let you know the best solution for your situation. Usually, with married couples, the first to pass will leave everything to their spouse. If those items are jointly owned (i.e. Property then the chances are, you don't need to apply for Probate on 1st death. If the estate is over the inheritance tax threshold of £1m for a couple, then Probate may well be advised. 

Just call us to find out what's best.. Don't just assume If you've had Trustwork (i.e. Severance of Tenancy) done, it's highly advisable to have this checked by the probate specialist anyway to ensure everything goes smoothly and doesn't undo the "Best Advice" you originally received from your Legacy Planner. For the second death,  Probate will be required and again, sometimes it's worth doing Probate for both deaths. Again your specialist will advise you.

How can we help you?

One of the duties an executor has is to apply for Probate, even if the estate is under the limit. This can often be a complex and extremely time-consuming process and needs attending to at a time when you may not feel able to perform this task.

Rugby Wills Ltd. has a specialist Probate advisor, Paul Radcliffe of Laurelo, (he's based in Rugby). We both have a sympathetic and patient approach when dealing with bereaved relatives and will happily arrange a free visit to discuss your requirements in the comfort of your own home, or just a friendly reassuring chat over the phone. Once Paul is on the case, you can relax and let him do everything for you. We both appreciate that, at this time, sorting Probate is the very last thing you want to do.

To contact Paul directly, contact us, and we will pass on your enquiry or 

call him direct on 07806 684130. 

His email is paul.radcliffe@laurelo.co.uk and 

Laurelo's website is www.laurelo.co.uk 

Pauls Linkedin page https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-radcliffe-525892211/

Please do mention us when you enquire. 

The basics for the Executor to take on,

Who do you notify first?

In the first five days, it is important that you do the following:

• Notify the deceased’s family Doctor.
• Contact a Funeral Director to commence funeral arrangements. You will also need to check any Will for any special requests or prepaid Funeral arrangements which may have already been made.
• Register the death at The Registry Office. Ideally, get at least 10 copies of the death certificate.. Be aware there is a waiting time for this, but you can book online, and get started here -> https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/deaths
• Advise any departments who may have been making payments to the deceased, such as Tax Credits, benefits, pensions etc.
• Inform the Government "Tell Us Once" service to let multiple departments know at once. The Registrar should give you the relevant information or complete this online.for you.

As soon as possible, you should:

• Contact the Executors of any Will to enable them to start the process of obtaining Probate. If you wish us to advise or complete Probate, let us know as early as possible.
• If there is no Will, then you should decide who will apply to sort out the deceased’s affairs and apply for Letters of Administration.

Want to know how we can help you?

• Ask us for our free Executor Checklist.

Inheritance Tax.

Many clients don't realise that if there is any Inheritance Tax to pay, that this has to be paid BEFORE any part of the estate can be sold to pay bills. This causes major problems if you don't have  £000's in the bank.

This can be overcome with an IHT Loan. This simple loan to the value of the IHT is paid back once Probate has been granted from the estate itself. No credit checks, security or monthly payments, and can be quickly set up.

However, this would be avoided by using the correct planning  before it becomes a problem by putting assets into Trusts as they are exempt from probate and any funds are immediately available. 

At this point, it's too late.