John Toule Wills

Working with you to secure your future

Probate – first actions

If someone close to you has died and you know you’re going to be an executor and trustee of their will, there are some immediate action items you need to contemplate and deal with quickly.

Check the house

Particularly if the person who has died was living by themselves you need to make sure the house is safe and any valuables removed from the house for safekeeping. How you do this depends upon the type of property and its position. Giving your name and telephone number to friendly neighbours may be helpful especially if they’re willing to keep observing the house for you. Don’t forget to tell the police the property is empty and you can ask them for any advice on security.

Animals

It is obviously important that arrangements should be made for any pets that are at the house. The last will and testament may tell you what happens to them, but in the meanwhile they need to be safe, fed and looked after. There may be a relative on animal charity in available to help with short-term needs.

Insurance

You need to take a look at the insurance policies, particularly for those concerning the building and contents insurances. You’ll need to notify the insurance company about the person’s death and let them know that the house is unoccupied. You’ll need to find out how long the insurance can continue once the property remains empty and then find out what you need to do to continue insurance cover for any unoccupied periods that may extend long-term. You should also check with any car insurance company so that they can be notified about the death. No one else should drive the car without full insurance cover.

Utility services

In the short-term they should be left on to ensure that the house doesn’t suffer from leaks or frost or any other dangers. You should decide how quickly you need to turn off gas and water, but you need to keep the house warm enough to stop problems arising in the house.

Postal delivery

You need to get in touch with your local post office and arrange for post to be redirected to you so that you can know what other matters need dealing with and how quickly. This will also allow you to keep in touch with any bills that are arriving to you can deal with those separately.

Bank accounts

You should ensure the banks and building societies known about the death as soon as possible. You’ll need to make arrangements so that funds are available to pay for the funeral, any potential probate fees and any tax you may have to pay, especially inheritance tax. You’ll need to check with the banks to find out about any standing orders or direct debits that may be running and deal with these accordingly.

The actions to take on after somebody dies can be varied and difficult which is why it often makes sense for a professional probate company to take over the majority of the work necessary. Appointing a professional probate company in your will, helps people you leave behind.