Someone has died. Here's what to do next.

We're sorry for your loss. Losing someone is hard enough without the paperwork that follows. This page walks you through the first steps, explains whether you'll need probate, and shows how we can take the weight off you if you'd like us to.

Find out what you need to do Call 01233 659796

No pressure and no jargon. We can visit you at home, talk by phone or video, and write to you by post if you prefer.

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What to do when someone dies

You don't have to do everything at once. Here's a simple order to work through.

In the first week

Get the medical certificate of cause of death from the doctor or hospital.
Register the death. In England and Wales this should be done within 5 days.
Use the government's Tell Us Once service. The registrar will give you a reference, and it tells most government departments in one go.
Contact a funeral director. Check whether there's a funeral plan or written wishes first.
Look for the will. If we wrote it or store it for you, call us and we'll find it.

In the first month

Let banks, pension providers, insurers and utility companies know.
Keep the home safe and insured, especially if it's now empty.
Start a simple list of what the person owned and owed. Bank statements and post are a good place to start.
Don't pay out or share anything yet. Executors can be personally liable if money goes to the wrong place.

In the first three months

Find out whether you need probate (see below).
Work out whether any Inheritance Tax is due. It usually has to be paid within six months, and often before probate is granted.
Decide whether you want to deal with the estate yourself or have help.

Do I need probate?

Probate is the legal permission to deal with someone's money, property and belongings after they die. Whether you need it depends on what they owned and how they owned it.

You'll usually need probate if the person:

owned a house or flat in their sole name, or as "tenants in common"
had shares, investments or premium bonds
had larger amounts in a bank or building society (each bank sets its own limit)

You might not need it if:

everything was owned jointly and passes straight to the surviving owner
there are only small amounts of money in each account

Free · no obligation

Not sure? Let's talk it through

Tell us a little about the estate and we'll explain whether probate is likely, the key deadlines, and what to do next.

Book a free chat

How we can help

Some people want to sort everything themselves. Others want someone to take it all off their hands. We can help either way, and we'll be honest about which suits you.

A real person who visits you at home, not a call centre
Plain English, with no surprises on cost
Letters by post if you prefer them to email
Helping families across the UK, by phone, video or in person

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Grant only

We take care of getting the grant of probate for you. You deal with the estate after that.

Suits simple estates and confident executors.

£2,000

plus VAT and costs, paid up front

Full estate administration

We handle the whole estate from start to finish, with as many home visits as you need.

Suits busy, overwhelmed or faraway families, and larger estates.

2% of the estate

plus VAT and costs

Common questions

How long does probate take?

It varies. A simple estate often takes several months from start to finish. Larger estates, property sales and tax can make it longer. We'll give you a realistic idea at the start.

Can I do it myself?

Yes, many people do. But mistakes can be costly, and executors can be personally responsible for them. We'll always tell you honestly if we think you can manage on your own.

What if there's no will?

The law decides who inherits and who can deal with the estate. It's a bit more involved, but we can help.

Will I have to pay you myself?

Our fees for full administration are normally paid from the estate, not out of your own pocket.

What if family members disagree?

We'll try to help everyone stay on track. If it becomes a legal dispute, we can introduce you to specialists who deal with this.

Do you help people anywhere in the UK?

Yes. Wherever you are, we can help by phone, video call or a visit to your home.

You don't have to do this alone

A short, free chat is often all it takes to see the way forward. There's no obligation and no pressure.

Book a free bereavement chat Call 01233 659796

Prefer post? Write to us at Suite 2069, Letraset Building, Wotton Road, Ashford, TN23 6LN.