Bereavement advice services

Sebben

Thanks for the add, these forums looks like a great resource. It's a shame I didn't come here because of happier reasons.
My father recently died and 3 weeks ago I had never heard of "probate". I've learned what I can, I think my Dad knew we would do our best to sort out his estate.

We have been referred to "Bereavement Advisory Services" by the Bank, who said that they could sort out the entire probate process, for a fixed fee.

I came here for information and experiences to guide me, the nearest I found was the ITC company.
.
Could anyone tell me are these kinds of services able to provide a legitimate a genuine, affordable option or would I realistically have to consult a lawyer to do tasks - tasks that i could get actually do myself?

My father grew his assets without professional advice, I think it would be a fitting tribute to his efforts if I could use my own grey matter to maximise his legacy.

Lorian

Sorry for your loss.

First questions - is there a will, and a named executor?

Keep_pedalling

Unless his estate is a complex one, you should not find this a relatively staight forward process, and I think you will gain some sense of satisfaction in doing this one last task for him, which will help you though this difficult time.

Savvy_Sue

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Unless his estate is a complex one, you should not find this a relatively staight forward process, and I think you will gain some sense of satisfaction in doing this one last task for him, which will help you though this difficult time.

Typo in the above: unless the estate is complex, you should find this straightforward.

Sorry for your loss. Start by answering Lorian's questions, but even if you then decide there are reasons to use a professional for probate, do NOT go with the Bank's bereavement advisory service before getting quotes from elsewhere!!!

FreeBear

Sebben wrote: »

We have been referred to "Bereavement Advisory Services" by the Bank, who said that they could sort out the entire probate process, for a fixed fee.

If you mean the Bereavement Advice Centre run by an outfit called Simplify, I'd suggest staying well away from any of their fee based services - One of their so-called "advisers" was supposed to pay me a visit. Waited in all day and the <deleted> never turned up or even bothered to call to cancel.

Ended up doing the probate myself and saved a packet on fees - This also included having to complete land registry forms for compulsory first registration of a property and transfer ownership.

The forms for probate (and land registry) can look daunting at first, but take your time and use the free help lines that the probate registry provide. If there are complex financial schemes and/or trusts that need unraveling, expert paid-for advice from a suitably experienced solicitor may be required. But if you can do the bulk of the paperwork yourself, legal fees can be kept to a minimum.

badmemory

The only problem with probate/probate forms are that you are quite naturally upset. It is nothing really to do with the forms just what they are about. If you (and any other relevant family) can sit down and separate yourselves from the reasons for the forms, then they become quite easy. What we did (although we were doing it at the POA stage but the process is the same) was dump all the paperwork we could find in the middle of a table. Then sort it all into piles of bank names, then actual bank accounts, and then date order and check what still existed.

You do not need to pay somebody to do this & take a year or more, when you can do it yourself (almost for free) in a fraction of the time. I did it for my family in under 3 months & I hate filling in forms.

Yorkshireman99

Avoid them like the plague! They charge fat fees and give big commissions to the bank. Unless it is a complex case you should easily be able to DIIY it. Lots of advice here. Start by reading the stickies at the top of this forum.

Sebben

Thanks for all the responses. It certainly is positive to take things on, bringing me closer to him, and keeping me productive.
I'll check 'the stickies'. Many professionals warn of 'liability', I think a lawyer at strategic points might allay this concern.
Things do seem complex but as I unravel it, I get the feeling he was making it as simple as possible for us. Simple will, executors.
HMRC 'Helplines' are informative, even their disclaimers "We cannot give advice on..." are useful to see what others might be going through!
Thanks again for the responses they are reassuring.

Sebben

One professional already warned me of an 80 page HMRC form, that I had already downloaded actually. More than 60 of those pages were help notes! So good advice not to get pressured by knowledgeable professionals

Sebben

I QUOTE=Savvy_Sue;71876504]Typo in the above: unless the estate is complex, you should find this straightforward.

Sorry for your loss. Start by answering Lorian's questions, but even if you then decide there are reasons to use a professional for probate, do NOT go with the Bank's bereavement advisory service before getting quotes from elsewhere!!![/QUOTE]


Yes, and even worse than liability concerns, I can just imagine my father saying to me "why did you let the bank sort it?"
:mad:

Sebben

I'm still getting familiar with the forum, I think my answer to your question was misplaced. Yes he has a clear simple will, with executors, he was a widower, and only his (adult) children are beneficiaries.

First questions - is there a will, and a named executor?[/QUOTE]