Sorting finances after death

reeac

Sorry to hear about your loss. My SIL died last October and we were faced with similar problems. One point is that you mentioned "various investment plans" which makes me wonder whether your mother had a Financial Advisor. If you can find correspondence indicating that this was the case then contacting them would be worthwhile as they might hold useful info. regarding investments, savings etc. This is what we found although it took some detective work to identify the person.

Voyager2002

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Dont see a solicitor (unless you'd like probate to take 3x as long and cost 10x as much as DIY), in which case, go right ahead.

Well, avoid a duff solicitor. I have only done this once, and spent a lot of time choosing a good one. Initial meeting (free) outlined the process and gave various options depending on how much we wanted the lawyer to do and how much we could do ourselves. We DIY ed for most of the job, but the lawyer's bit was done well and quickly and represented excellent value for money.

Keep_pedalling

You should also get your father to make a lasting power of attorney. He sounds like he has little clue about his finances now, and if he loses his mental capacity life will become very difficult for you without one in place.

Reaper

If you have not found it already there is an MSE "To do" list here:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/

atush

Uxb1 wrote: »

It all depends on what the will (if it exists) says as to whether consulting a solicitor would be wise.
If the OP really has no idea how to proceed then maybe a solicitor might be the way to go.
Either they have to spend their time learning about how to do it or pay someone (solicitor) to do it for them.

There are all sorts of things to catch one out if you are DIY's ing it
For example does the OP or indeed posters on here know all about the desirability of posting the standard notice to any creditors of the deceased in "The Gazette" and why under some circumstances it is essential to do so and others circumstances (single sole beneficiary who is also the executor) it's not really necessary.
If there are legacies left in the will to individuals do you all know about the necessity of conducting a bankruptcy search on the individuals prior to distributing the estate/legacy.
Then there is finalising the income tax return for the sadly departed person between the 6th April and the date of death - which often results in a tax refund being due to the estate.

Sounds like soneone who is involved in the professional executor arena?