Becoming an Administrator when there is no will.

Julie2020

Hello,
Our Mum recently passed away, and our Dad passed away 15 months prior to this. Surprisingly to myself and my brothers, there does not appear to be a will.
Now, their estate, wasn't huge, and nowhere near the Inheritance Tax threshold, and the 'who get's what' is not an issue. We have a good relationship and this can all be sorted out between us without fear of conflict. 
As I am currently off work due to current events, I am the person dealing with the finances. I have used the 'Tell us once' service, and have contacted her bank. I have managed to provide enough documentation to get the account frozen, but to go any further apparently I need a letter of Administration. I have looked into obtaining this and it appears this will cost me several hundred pounds. Is there any way of avoiding this cost? There is absolutely no dispute between myself and my brothers, we just need to be able to access her personal affairs to sort things out? I think my Mum would have presumed everything would be straight forward and just automatically come to us?

Thanks in anticipation...

Linton

Yo need a letter of administration if there is property involved or someone, eg the bank, insists.

See: https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/who-can-apply

You should not need to pay a solicitor.

Flugelhorn

It really does depend what there is in the estate eg property / bank accounts over a certain amount / premium bonds etc 

Julie2020

Thank you for your responses. There is a property involves, worth an estimated 130k, however, My parents took out equity release so approx £85k will be owing to them. The amount in her bank is probably around £4k

Frogletina

I applied for letters of administration last year, it cost £215 to get and It was not difficult to do. The distribution of the estate where there is no will is set out under the rules of intestacy, and are easy to follow. 

Flugelhorn

Julie2020 said:

Thank you for your responses. There is a property involves, worth an estimated 130k, however, My parents took out equity release so approx £85k will be owing to them. The amount in her bank is probably around £4k

Then you will need letters of administration to sell the house etc 

xylophone

https://www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate/who-can-apply
You will need to apply for "Letters of Administration" - follow the information in the above.

Julie2020

Ok Thank you. Is there any way of obtaining the letter of Administration without paying the £215? 

Brynsam

Julie2020 said:

Ok Thank you. Is there any way of obtaining the letter of Administration without paying the £215? 

No, afraid not.

Flugelhorn

not unless the estate is much smaller.

YBR

You should be able to have the estate pay you back before you distribute the proceeds.