Dealing with a death in Bolton: where to register, funeral and probate.
Some executors or administrators think they can do whatever they think is best with the proceeds and ignore the Will or Rules of Intestacy. This is not so, and unless done in a legal fashion is potentially THEFT. They must do what the Will dictates, or follow the Rules of Intestacy. It is potentially possible to make changes via a Deed of Variation, but only if any beneficiary losing out agrees, and is of sound mind and over 18. In that case, Court approval will be needed. We can point you to relatively inexpensive advice.
The Executor should Secure the Deceased’s Property and Possessions after a death in Bolton.
After the funeral and burial or cremation is complete, it’s time for the executor/s to start dealing with the deceased’s property and possessions.
- If their property is no longer occupied, the insurance of both buildings and contents needs review, contact the insurers as claims on empty properties may not be paid. More on insurance for empty properties.
- You should also consider changing the locks as no one knows who has keys. If it is rented, with the landlords’ permission or arrange for it to be valued and cleared quickly to reduce the rent payable.
- Secure any valuables if not already done – we would recommend photographing everything before removing it.
- Tracking down any assets that have been left in a will, administering or arrange to be set up any trusts set up before death.
- You’ll need to contact banks, insurers, mortgage lenders and other companies if applicable. You will need to establish date of death values for both assets and liabilities. HMRC must be informed of the death to ensure they deal with any relevant tax issues, but if the Tell Us Once Service was used, they will be aware.
- If Inheritance Tax is a possibility, we would strongly recommend that you contact us so we can find you a suitable adviser as things can get very complex. For example, gifts made within the last 7 years may be pulled back into the estate before tax is calculated.
- Where there may be debts, it would be prudent to advertise the death in the approved fashion in the local paper and Gazette to avoid creditors suing the executor. If there is a business too, you may need to advertise in Trade papers as well.
- Unclaimed assets – many people have privatisation shares and other accounts which they have forgotten about so it is wise to check for unclaimed assets.
- BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT WHAT YOU THROW AWAY!
Bolton Independent Financial Advisers.
It is also probable that you would benefit from the services of a genuinely Independent Financial Adviser local to you, both personally or during the course of the probate and estate administration.
Organise Financial Affairs with Banks, Insurance Companies and HMRC.
It is important to contact banks, insurance companies and HMRC as soon as possible after a person has passed away. This means organising financial affairs and dealing with any debts that may be outstanding. For all assets or liabilities you will need a date of death balance, including any interest accrued but not yet added, so the executor might as well ask for it immediately. Obtaining probate (a legal document often required when administering an estate) can also help gain access to certain accounts. If inheritance tax is owed, it must be paid BEFORE probate is granted either from the estate or from the beneficiary’s own resources before inheriting or by way of a probate loan. If there is money in the bank or National Savings, then you may be able to arrange for them to pay towards the IHT before probate is granted.
Paying IHT | Is Probate Needed? | Bereavement Support Payment
Applying for Probate in Bolton or Letters of Administration.
Probate is not always required, but the executor should keep careful notes of all assets and liabilities, partly as they have to account to the residuary beneficiaries, and partly as one item may turn up later which cannot be released without a Grant of Probate/ Letters of Administration and if you have not kept the notes, you may have to do everything again! Forms to apply for probate can be obtained by calling 0117 930 2430 or 0300 123 1072.
These steps could well be of benefit to both executors and Beneficiaries:
- If not already done, at this stage it is wise to open an executors account with a bank, as allegations of all sorts can arise if you pay any funds into your own bank account.
- Putting a notice in The Gazette to ensure that there is protection against unknown creditors.
- Searching for unknown assets such as privatisation shares, paid-up insurance policies etc.
Estate Administration
Once you have the Grant or Letters of Administration (and you will need more copies than you expect) then you can gather in the assets, pay any outstanding debts, pay out the specific legacies such as £1000 or the mantle clock, get the estate accounts agreed by the residuary beneficiaries (they are the ones who get a proportion of the estate) and right at the end, once they have all agreed the accounts, you can pay them. You do need to be certain none of the beneficiaries are bankrupt, and if you fail to do so, the Trustee in Bankruptcy may come after you as the funds should have been given to the Trustee. All paperwork should be kept for six years.
Bolton Funeral Directors
- Howarth’s Funeral Service Bolton Office: Peel House, 638 Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, Bolton BL1 7AL
- Gibson House Funeral Home: 335 St. Helens Road, Bolton, Lancashire BL3 3QD
- Co-op Funeralcare: 1 Crompton Way, Bolton BL1 8NZ.
- Dignity – Birtwhistle 356 Halliwell Rd, Bolton BL1 8AP.
- Bromleys Independent Funeral Services 125 Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton BL2 2JG.
- Fred Hamer Funeral Directors 243-245 Tonge Moor Rd, Bolton BL2 2JG.
- Season Funeral Service 1-3 Morris Green Ln, Bolton BL3 3JD.
- Relphs Coop Funeralcare Arden House, 116/122 Blackburn Rd, Bolton BL1 8DW.
- Coop Shaws Funeral Directors The Old Parsonage, 20 Park St, Bolton BL1 4BD.
- Coop Funeralcare 687 Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6HP.
- Fred Hamer Gibson House Funeral Directors 335 St. Helens Road, Deane, Bolton BL3 3QD.
- Oglesby’s Funeral Directors 116a Darwen Rd, Bromley Cross, Bolton BL7 9BQ.
- Crystal Funeral Care Services 439A Blackburn Road Bolton BL1 8NJ.
- Silletts Funeral Service Herbert Street Little Lever Bolton BL3 1LU.
Funeral Celebrants covering Bolton
Alison Regan Civil Funeral Celebrant 07500 123107
Bolton Crematorium & Burials
Overdale Crematorium, Overdale Drive, Chorley New Road, Bolton, BL1 5BU. 01204 334499.
Bolton burial and cremation information
Grave Tending Service in Bolton
Grave Angels 07912 322151
Florist in Bolton
Blooms In Bolton, 244 Chorley Old Rd, Bolton BL1 3BW 01204 491758
Estate Planning
Making, reviewing or updating Wills and Powers of Attorney – and ongoing service as Taxation, the Law and your Personal Circumstances change. Click the link.
Financial Advice
It is also probable that you would benefit from the services of a genuinely Independent Financial Adviser local to Bolton or to you, both personally or during the course of the probate and estate administration.
Estate Planners and Independent Financial Advisers
Now is the time for the family to review their legal planning – Wills, Powers of Attorney and maybe Trusts.
Probate Property to sell in Bolton?
Avoid chains and disappointments: market value in the bank within 3-5 weeks of grant, click to learn how, as preparation is needed.
Cash Buyer as an alternative.
Free Property Value estimate or formal RICS Valuation for probate.
Estate Agents & Valuers
Local estate agents and valuers may be added to our directory.
Locksmiths in Bolton
- A J S Locksmith 07932252745 01204 843323
Always change locks on empty buildings and check the buildings insurance remains valid.
House Clearance Bolton
Local house clearance businesses may be added to our directory.
General Auctioneers and Valuers in Bolton
Bolton Auction Rooms, 1 Breightmet Drive, Bolton 01204 775121
Wake Venues in Bolton
Local wake venues may be added to our directory.
Visiting/Delivering Caterers in Bolton for Home Wakes
Local caterers may be added to our directory.
Probate Property Auctions
These are national auctioneers for homes etc, not for goods. We still need to add a good local general auctioneer.