Minimum requirements?

Mojisola

Yellow_mango said:

I think you’re right, better to err on the side of caution and just take nothing at all other than documents. 

And family photos.  Those will just be thrown out if the council clears the property.

Linton

If you are leaving computers it would be prudent to remove all the data.

Yellow_mango

Linton said:

If you are leaving computers it would be prudent to remove all the data.

Oh good point. 

There will likely be computers, as well as iPad / phones etc.  She was a gamer. I suspect they will all be password protected. 

I think an iPhone / iPad can be reset by plugging into a computer with iTunes (which would mean either bringing them home or taking a laptop to do this). PC / laptop I have no idea how to reformat. 

Dox

Yellow_mango said:

Thanks. No-one has any interest in the washing machine or in trying to sell any items to realise value. I guess it could be returned for a refund but that wouldn’t help anyone if we have no access to the bank account. It might well have been bought on credit. I won’t know until I can see the delivery note / documentation (assuming all order confirmations etc aren’t on email to which of course no-one has access). 

You don't need to know - leave well alone.

Yellow_mango

Dox said:

Yellow_mango said:

Thanks. No-one has any interest in the washing machine or in trying to sell any items to realise value. I guess it could be returned for a refund but that wouldn’t help anyone if we have no access to the bank account. It might well have been bought on credit. I won’t know until I can see the delivery note / documentation (assuming all order confirmations etc aren’t on email to which of course no-one has access). 

You don't need to know - leave well alone.

You’re quite right of course. Thanks. 

It’s hard. My natural reaction at a time like this is to try and sort everything out. Find out every detail.  Do stuff. It feels weird to just leave everything unknown and unfinished. 

I know it’s the right thing to do. No good can come of getting involved. It’s just hard. 

On a positive note I have now managed to arrange somewhere to stay over when I go up to the house. That’s one thing sorted I guess. 

On a related note, I assume it’s OK for someone to ask the bank just to confirm the balance? Just in case there is substantial cash sitting there (I really don’t think there is but no-one actually had any details of her financial situation and I think it would help my parents understand why it’s best to not do anything if they could at least get confirmation that there are no assets). Surely a person needs to be able to gather enough information to establish whether or not an estate is insolvent before deciding whether or not to administer it?

Dox

Yellow_mango said:

Dox said:

Yellow_mango said:

Thanks. No-one has any interest in the washing machine or in trying to sell any items to realise value. I guess it could be returned for a refund but that wouldn’t help anyone if we have no access to the bank account. It might well have been bought on credit. I won’t know until I can see the delivery note / documentation (assuming all order confirmations etc aren’t on email to which of course no-one has access). 

You don't need to know - leave well alone.

You’re quite right of course. Thanks. 

It’s hard. My natural reaction at a time like this is to try and sort everything out. Find out every detail.  Do stuff. It feels weird to just leave everything unknown and unfinished. 

I know it’s the right thing to do. No good can come of getting involved. It’s just hard. 

On a positive note I have now managed to arrange somewhere to stay over when I go up to the house. That’s one thing sorted I guess. 

On a related note, I assume it’s OK for someone to ask the bank just to confirm the balance? Just in case there is substantial cash sitting there (I really don’t think there is but no-one actually had any details of her financial situation and I think it would help my parents understand why it’s best to not do anything if they could at least get confirmation that there are no assets). Surely a person needs to be able to gather enough information to establish whether or not an estate is insolvent before deciding whether or not to administer it?

It's one of the most difficult things in the world to 'leave well alone' in this situation. Natural decency and natural curiosity both come into play! But for your own sake, don't start down the 'I assume it's OK just to....' route. If the bank has a large cash balance sitting there, they'll tell you soon enough. Ask if you really must, but where are you going to draw the line?

Mojisola

Dox said:

It's one of the most difficult things in the world to 'leave well alone' in this situation. Natural decency and natural curiosity both come into play! But for your own sake, don't start down the 'I assume it's OK just to....' route. If the bank has a large cash balance sitting there, they'll tell you soon enough. Ask if you really must, but where are you going to draw the line?

Why would the bank look for someone to tell about the account?
How would they know who to contact?