Ascertaining debts for Probate

Friend_inDeed

Hi all. I've looked at various other threads for an answer to my question, but couldn't quite find what I am looking for. I'm looking for advice on how to enquire about debts for a deceased estate with creditors without formally acknowledging a debt.

My mum recently passed away and I have started the process to value her estate. I am the exector/personal rep and sole beneficiary. There is some cash in Bank accounts. No property or valuables to speak of and her funeral was paid from the funds in her bank accounts. I have placed a section 27 notice in the Gazette. At this early stage, I suspect that the estate is solvent and there would be enough cash to pay any debts.

From looking through old correspondence, it seems like any debt might fall into 2 categories: old credit card/bank loan debt sold to a debt collection agency and a bill from a care home which provided short-term care for mum when she was discharged from hospital a couple of years ago.

Are there any templates or guidelines for corresponding with potential creditors so I do not mistakenly acknowledge a debt which is either statute barred, unenforceable or are attributed to mum in error.

Any advice gratefully received.

RAS

Before you contact anyone about the old debts, please go over to the debt free wannabee section. Debts that haven't been paid or acknowledged in writing for 6 years are "statute barred". In England they still exist but that is wholly sufficient to defend any claim.