Some very quick questions (I think)

valmiki

Hello! looking for some quick answers if possible please.

Mum passed away two weeks ago, abroad, in India (2nd home kinda thing). Fortunately I was able to make it in time to spend the final few days with her.

Now that the funeral and most of the ceremonies are over with, I'm planning on how to sort stuff out when I get back to the UK.

1 (a) Death certificate - the certificate given to us over here is bi-lingual, am I right in thinking this should be accepted back home by anyone/everyone or do I need to shell out £100+ for a consular's death registration certificate?
(b) The gov.uk service says I 'may' still be able to use the Tell Us Once service, but when I attempt to do so it asks for a reference number which would only be given by a UK registrar, any ideas?

2 Will/Intestate - My father is staying on for a few more weeks before coming back to the UK, and I would like to get cracking on sorting out the paperwork. Mum didn't have a will, and her assets are way below the 250k limit. Can I become the executor (just so that I can handle the paperwork and save Dad the running around) in any event he's getting everything anyway? Or as technically he is the next-of-kin before me that he HAS to do it all in his name? I'm just trying to save him time and effort to be honest. Her estate is very basic, the property in India is in my father's name, and apart from a couple of small holding of shares and premium bonds she doesn't have much else (apart from half the house in the UK).

The only other issue is an estranged sibling, who hasn't been on the scene for years, but I'm hoping that won't affect any of the above,

thanks in advance
valmiki

G6JNS

valmiki wrote: »

Hello! looking for some quick answers if possible please.

Mum passed away two weeks ago, abroad, in India (2nd home kinda thing). Fortunately I was able to make it in time to spend the final few days with her.

Now that the funeral and most of the ceremonies are over with, I'm planning on how to sort stuff out when I get back to the UK.

1 (a) Death certificate - the certificate given to us over here is bi-lingual, am I right in thinking this should be accepted back home by anyone/everyone or do I need to shell out £100+ for a consular's death registration certificate?
(b) The gov.uk service says I 'may' still be able to use the Tell Us Once service, but when I attempt to do so it asks for a reference number which would only be given by a UK registrar, any ideas?

2 Will/Intestate - My father is staying on for a few more weeks before coming back to the UK, and I would like to get cracking on sorting out the paperwork. Mum didn't have a will, and her assets are way below the 250k limit. Can I become the executor (just so that I can handle the paperwork and save Dad the running around) in any event he's getting everything anyway? Or as technically he is the next-of-kin before me that he HAS to do it all in his name? I'm just trying to save him time and effort to be honest. Her estate is very basic, the property in India is in my father's name, and apart from a couple of small holding of shares and premium bonds she doesn't have much else (apart from half the house in the UK).

The only other issue is an estranged sibling, who hasn't been on the scene for years, but I'm hoping that won't affect any of the above,

thanks in advance
valmiki

I am sorry for your loss. I can't help with the first question. What you need to do is apply for letters of administration so that you can administer the estate and distribute it according to the laws of intestacy. From what you say the whole estate should pass to your father.

Crabapple

I think provided everything is also in English on the death certificate then it is fine to use in this country. However, as a foreign document you might need to get it notarised to confirm it is official. If you google the notary society you should be able to find a local one who could advise you.

There's no reason why you can't apply for the letters of administration, you will just need to say that your father has been notified of the application (and obviously tell him!). He's first in line to apply but if it is impractical or he doesn't want to do it then you can and just pass the assets to him as you say.

Mojisola

valmiki wrote: »

Mum passed away two weeks ago

Mum didn't have a will, and her assets are way below the 250k limit.

Her estate is very basic ... apart from a couple of small holding of shares and premium bonds she doesn't have much else (apart from half the house in the UK).

The only other issue is an estranged sibling, who hasn't been on the scene for years, but I'm hoping that won't affect any of the above

If the house in this country is owned as "joint tenants" by your Mum and Dad, the house is now automatically his.

As the estate is small enough for your Dad to inherit it all, the estranged sibling doesn't need to be involved at all.

TBagpuss

Agree with the above. You may not need formal letters of administration of the estate is small - possibly for the shares, but for banks and premium bonds you may be able to deal with this with just the death certificate.

However, if your Dad has not made a will then it would be sensible to encourage him to do so, once he is in a position to think about the future, as things would be a little more complex on his death - in particular, the estranged sibling would be entitled to an equal share of his estate, and would just as entitled as you (and other other siblings) to apply for letters of administration.