Not sure on next steps after my mother's death

brewerdave

1. The 5 days after death rule for registration is a nonsense -we couldn't get an appointment for 10 days at our local office when my mother died !
2. We got 10 copies of death cert. (and later 10 copies of Grant of Probate) - nobody needed to keep the paperwork but it allowed me as executor to send most of the letters off together to all organisations, rather than wait for return to do the next.
3. You do need to go thru your mothers paperwork carefully -we found a couple of building society accounts with money in, which we didn't know about.
4. We found that the "Tell us once" service was very good for the DWP and the local council - but actually created problems with the Inland Revenue who kept writing to the person who reported the death rather than the executor, so if your mother had paid tax on her pensions you need to make sure HMRC know so you can get any due tax rebates.

troubleinparadise

Well done, it sounds as though you are making progress, and I hope feeling a little less panic than you were in the middle of the night!

Once you have the death certificates, it is important to notify the bank where your mother held her current account to freeze that and put a stop to any payments going out, or indeed coming in also. Whilst errors can be put right, it just adds to the admin stuff you have to do.

Also insurance on your mum's house - the policy she had will now be invalid, but certain companies will insure an unoccupied property, but you will need to phone round to find one that will do it.

A tip - your head is probably everywhere right now... I kept a notebook where I wrote down every phone call and the outcome with date and time, so I could keep track of what I had done. And copies of every letter I wrote, and form I filled in and sent. Have a box where you keep all "Mum" stuff so that it doesn't get mislaid, even if it's not in order!

Im sorry for your sudden loss - it sounds as though it was unexpected and no doubt a shock, and having to suddenly deal with all this on top of your emotions is hard.

Stay calm - it will all get sorted, you do have time, and remember to look after yourself too.

Brighty

Regarding insurance, it may be invalid, but may not, ring supplier and check.

With my parents place, their insurer (direct line?) were happy to continue insuring it on my parents policy, even though it was empty, up until the date probate was granted. We just had to get a neighbour to pop in and check the place once a week and we were also told when winter came, we needed to either drain down the central heating or leave it on to keep the place warm.

Once probate was granted, i just rang them, cancelled policy, got a refund for the remaining term. We then took out landlords insurance on it as we were letting it

Brighty

Diamond_Orchid

Thanks for everyones replies and support, I really appreciate it.

I managed to get an appointment to register in her county, but less distance from me, and going to do it Thursday. I will be able to get the death certificates then.

Thank you for the Tell Us Once heads up, that sounds really good. I will have to remember to ask for that.

Besides her state pension she also had teachers pension, i will have to get the details from her house after the funeral I think.

I will have to see who her house insurance is with. I may have an inkling, but would they discuss it over the phone with me without anything in writing?

I have suddenly got a funny tummy and feel sick, I am hoping its 'just' axiety and not a bug. I really cant wait for Friday to be over

Diamond_Orchid

Ive insured her house using unoccupied insurance with Towergate. So that makes me feel more at ease.

Placitasgirl

Hi Diamond Orchid,

I'm sorry for the loss of your Mum. My mum died unexpectedly 18 months ago. Dealing with the police, undertakers, Coroner, Registrars, Insurance Company etc all fell to me as the "organised one" in the family. The "Tell Us Once" service was a huge help and is widely offered by the Registrars, so you shouldn't need to ask about it as I'm sure it will be offered. It helps with things such as notifying the DVLA (driving licence) if your Mum's death, and also with cancelling bus passes, library tickets etc. I did take these things along to the register office when registering the death, and am sure you'll find more guidance online. My best advice would be to take every day a step at a time and to make time to try to relax and take care of yourself (or recruit any help offered with practical matters such as sorting through Mum's papers etc). This is a difficult and stressful time and you must factor your health and wellbeing in too. I got through a very tough 4 months quite well (or so I thought) only to be struck with s horrible attack of shingles, so do look after yourself. Once again my sincere condolences on the loss of your Mum.