Helping relative with Administrating Estate

GreatUncleKip

Hi All

Really looking for some assistance here to check i am on the right path.

My Grandmas brother (my great uncle) dies a short while ago, and she is "first"in terms of inheritance. He had no other brothers or sisters, or children.

He died intestate - which is hugely unfortunate.

My understanding is that my grandma would be first in line to administrate his estate - however, she is very scared of doing this, and has asked me to manage it for her.

What is the best way for me to proceed - im aware i cant become an administrator myself, but im thinking that i will need to become an appointed attorney? Can i do this?

We are not getting a solicitor involved at this stage, as once i have the appropriate power, i am more than confident in filling forms and my great uncle was hugely organised, so all his financial information is in a coupe, of folders, meaning it should not be hugely problematic.

Any advice would be hugely appreciated.

Caroline_a

I would advise you, whatever you do, do NOT get solicitor involved. My dad died over 2 years ago, I organised all his papers and got them to the solicitor (as his executor was old and didn't want to do it, hence he appointed the solicitor). It still isn't sorted. There was no house sale involved, just closing the bank accounts, going through what I'd given him, some valuations, and (the only bit that was slightly complex) adding 2 other people to the trust that my dad wanted setting up.

The last invoice I saw was nearly £9k!!! and it still isn't sorted. He has dragged his feet, not answered phonecalls and emails, and I am now in the process of putting in the second stage of a complaint to the Legal Ombudsman.

I do wish I'd done it myself!

Pollycat

Maybe take a look at these links:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_death_and_wills_e/dealing_with_the_financial_affairs_of_someone_who_has_died.htm

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/Preparation/DG_10029799

The first is from CAB and there is something about how to apply for letters of administration (assuming you are in England).

I rang the The Probate and Inheritance Tax Helpline (see 2nd link - Directgov) with a few questions when my Dad died last year - they were very helpful.

daska

Ring the Probate helpline, they'll talk you through everything you need to do, identify the correct forms etc. They really are very helpful.

susancs

Although different as husband's uncle left a will, my husband became the adminstrator of the estate after his brother felt it would be easier for him to deal with it all. It was pretty straight forward using the free guide and templates on the site below, just a matter of getting the financial information, filling in forms, waiting for an appointment at the probate Court and then were granted letter of administration to deal with the estate. My husband had previously been his Uncle's Court appointed guardian so fortunately had a separate bank account that could be used for all the finances relating to the estate, so it was just a matter of paying in cheques from the different bank accounts.
http://www.bereavementadvice.org/probate-and-other-legal-procedures/deciding-how-to-do-probate/diy.php

getmore4less

There are a few books in the library that can help.

the 2 forms you need to start with are

PA1
IHT205

Both have loads of notes and google will also bring up help once you start with these two and need help with terms.

It is a good idea to go through both as trial run and that will get you in the frame of mind to see if you think you can do it. and the sort of information you need to gather.

IHT may refer you to IHT400 + its suppliments they are more detailed but not always needed they also have good notes.

There should be no problem becoming administrator, if the first in line is capable but wants to pass it to you there are a number of options on the PA1 to look at.

The probate ofices and HMRC are very helpfull but are limited to proceedural and canot give advise.

GreatUncleKip

Thanks for all the advice on here, much appreciated :-)

As an update, i now have all the financial information sorted, house valued etc, and so have the final estate sorted. Now its just a case of filling in those forms, and applying.

Was a little more complex than i intiailly envisaged as a lot of money was tied up in investment funds.....