Do It Yourself When Someone Dies

[Sycamore3House]

Could someone please tell me if we can do it yourself in dealing whit the finances/property etc when some one dies? Scenario is my mother owns her own home and has savings and will be below inheritance tax threshold. She made a will with my father (he passed 12 years ago) and when she goes everything is left to my brother and I. We have registered LPA's for health, finance and property. Do,we need to use a solicitor when she goes or can we do the next stage of the process ourselves?? Not sure what the next stage is called.

[woofgang]

Yes you can do it yourself
https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/overview

http://www.ageuk.org.uk/money-matters/legal-issues/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/what-to-do-first-when-someone-dies/

When our mother died, my older sister did everything. When My DH died, it was a little more complicated as there were foreign investments involved so I employed a local solicitor on a job by job basis but did most of it myself.

[Buenchico]

Your mother's will should state who her executors will be. Whoever is named as executor needs to seek a grant of representation (='probate') in order to to distribute her estate. If she (wisely, in my opinion) named you and your brother as executors (as well as beneficiaries) then you don't need a solicitor as the probate application process is usually fairly straightforward. (You're still free to appoint a solicitor to help you if you feel you need it though). However if your mother named someone else (such as a solicitor) as executor, then only that person can apply for the grant.

Assuming that you're an executor, the information you need can be found by starting here:
https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/applying-for-a-grant-of-representation

The Probate Registry staff are extremely helpful and efficient when it comes to the necessary form-filling. Don't hesitate so seek their guidance! You can find the contact details for the relevant Probate Registry office here:
https://courttribunalfinder.service.gov.uk/search/
(Don't be put off by the reference to 'courts and tribunals'. The information you require really is there and, although you'll technically be dealing with a 'court', there are no stuffy formalities to worry about. For example, nobody will be bothered if you turn up to swear the oath in a T-shirt, jeans and flip-flops!).

[Sycamore3House]

Thanks for that. The link seems straightforward and I think we have everything in place to do it ourselves.

[Sycamore3House]

Thanks for your info Buenchico, my brother and I are the executors and also the only beneficeries. We are used to attending court so that won't be daunting. Although nowadays we do not attend as much. Licensing law has changed since 2005.

[Peter Pedant]

group of excellent answers here
so I dont need to chip in my two-penny-worth

It is straighforward. we had a heavy tax bill and employed an accountant for that

I photographed every room ( actually all my mother's assets ) and every drawer and inventoried absolutely everything ( 24 hankies at 10p each and so on) and was amazed I didnt get one question.

I have just done for one of my tenants ( I am chief creditor )