What to do when someone dies

Generally, you will need a solicitor to help you with the administration of the deceased’s estate. They will help with things such as obtaining the Grant of Representation (probate), calculating any tax liabilities, and ultimately, distributing the estate to the correct beneficiaries.  

Read more about the process of administering an estate. 

It is the executor’s responsibility to ensure that the solicitor has all the information and documentation they will need. As a starting point, we suggest gathering the following information: 

• Certified copies of the death certificate (more than one if possible); 
• A copy of the will (if there is one); 
• The original house deeds (if the deceased owned a house or details of the lender if the property is mortgaged); 
• Bank statements and building society passbooks (including details of any joint accounts); 

• Details of any PEPs, ISAs and stocks and shares (including the share certificates); 
• Life assurance policies; 
• Names and addresses of the deceased’s accountant, stockbroker and/or financial advisor (if any); 
• Car insurance details (if you are insured to drive the car under the deceased’s name you will cease to be legally insured); 
• Household insurance details (buildings and contents); 

• Department for Work and Pension benefit details; 
• Utility details – gas, electric, water, telephone, internet and council tax; 
• Details of the deceased’s employer and/or occupational pension(s); 
• HM Revenue & Customs papers to settle the deceased’s tax affairs up to the date of death (if appropriate); 
• Details of any foreign assets (e.g. time-share properties or bank accounts held in the Channel Islands); and 

• Details of any property held jointly by the deceased and any other person.