The first steps of the process as an executor are easy to follow once you know what to do.
Register the Death and Get Certificates
Register the death within 5 days at the local register office and order 10+ certified copies of the death certificate. Each institution will require a copy of the death certificate in its original form – it’s very easy to run out!
Locate the Original Will
Get the Will. Check that it is current and that it does name you as an Executor. The Will must be the original document and not a photocopy of it. The original Will was likely left with the solicitor who prepared it, or with a bank, or in a safe at the deceased’s home.
Notify institutions such as banks, HMRC, pension schemes and other relevant parties of the death of the benefactor to ‘freeze’ the account(s) whilst the estate is being administered. Probate Leicester is worth getting right.
For more on this, take a look at https://beesandco.com/our-services/probate/leicester
List Everything the Estate Owns and Owes
Start writing down all the assets in the estate and all the debts. This is just a simple list to start off with and will form the basis of the estate valuation required for probate.
Check Whether Probate Is Actually Required
Assets held jointly by partners for example will usually pass to the surviving partner by right of survivorship and therefore will not require Probate.
It’s really important to start doing these things as soon as possible to protect the estate and start to progress things.