We're aware that some users are experiencing technical issues which the team are working to resolve. See the Community Noticeboard for more info. Thank you for your patience.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Help needed regarding small estate

Options
My mother died last week without a will and I have no contact with family whatsoever. My father left many many years ago and has been NC ever since. As far as I am aware they were still classed as married despite being separated for roughly 30 years. I have siblings, also NC for many years and they were also NC with my mother for 17 yrs approx. I have been in full contact with my mother for life and became her NOK and care giver and remained that way until she passed. I have registered her death and informed the relevant people. My mother had 11k in the bank and when I informed them of her death they have closed the account and will release funds to myself so a funeral can be taken care of. Now my question is what happens to the rest of the funds and do I need to follow intestacy? Should I have even informed the bank etc? I'm confused and immensely stressed over all of this. I feel like I'm doing something wrong? I wouldn't have a clue how to contact my father and I don't even know if he's still alive. Do I have to inform him if I can find his whereabouts and said siblings? I am not trying to rob anyone of anything and just trying to get funeral sorted etc and do what my mother wanted. After the funeral and outstanding debts are paid there will be around 4k left. Guess I'm just asking what my legal responsibilities are regarding it all as I am stressed to the max and can't stop thinking about any of it when really I just want to be grieving the loss of my Mother 😞 probate wasn't needed and she owned no property or valuable assets. Thankyou in advance for any help 

Comments

  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 35,943 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 12 July 2024 at 5:28PM
     I am sorry for your loss and you are not doing anything wrong. 

    The bank didn't need to close the account and send you the money straight away  - they could have paid the funeral director from the account once an invoice was presented to give you time to think about what you wanted to do, but I think they do just release the money for small amounts. 
    The funeral is always the first call on the estate so don't worry about using the funds to pay for that. 
    Debts would then be paid as the next priority and bear in mind that the DWP can take a long time to come back and request overpayments of pension, attendance allowance back again, so you need to hang fire with the remains of the estate anyway to make sure that they don't come back for anything.

    Yes the rules of intestacy would be followed but I have no clue how you stand with regards to your father being uncontactable. Someone else should be along with suggestions with regards to that. But there is really no rush to do any of that so take your time to grieve for as long as you need to. Maybe stick any money into a separate account to keep it ring fenced then just ignore unit you are ready - it's not going to be going anywhere any time soon and that is perfectly ok. 

    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Keep_pedalling
    Keep_pedalling Posts: 20,740 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    There was no reason why you should not have informed the bank and for them to release the funds to you, so please don’t worry about that, you have done nothing wrong. 

    The question now is what to do next. If you have not already done so I would put the remaining in a separate account, then have a search to see if you can find if your father pre deceased your mother. 


  • RAS
    RAS Posts: 35,506 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You're doing the right thing. The bank could have paid the funeral costs directly to the director, but it would be completely appropriate for them to close the account and transfer the rest of the funds to you on sight of the death certificate.

    You might want to open another bank account for that money. If there are any other bills relating to your mother's estate like rent until the property is cleared, clearing the property, utilities, debts, repayment of benefits, those come out of the money.

    Did you use Tell Us Once? You may also need to let utilities know about her death and provide meter readings.

    When you can bear to go through things, try to find documents like your parents' marriage certificate, birth certificates and any letters to or from your dad and siblings. Having an old address might make it easier possible to trace them. The cost of tracing would come from that bank account as well. There is a service to check for divorces, but right now you need to concentrate on the basics, and on grieving your mum.
    If you've have not made a mistake, you've made nothing
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 598.7K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.8K Life & Family
  • 257.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.