The next steps, how do I close a bank account after a death, and release the funds

ssdkck

The current account is with nationwide. Unfortunately there is no will, no property, no vehicle, no other assets. Just a current account, with less then £2000 and a small work place pension. The account belongs to my sons father, we did live together but we were separated but co parenting. A funeral needs to be paid for. Would I be able to close the account and have the funds released to me. Our son is under 18. How complicated is this

eskbanker

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/challenging-times/bereavement/ is the starting point for dealing with Nationwide, but in terms of complexity they'll require some sort of evidence that it's your role as ex-partner to do so, as opposed to other family, for example, in the absence of a will clarifying who has executor responsibilities.

Similarly the pension scheme will have their procedures for deciding what happens to the pension after his death.

Rob5342

Everywhere has their own procedure so you'll need to contact them to see exactly what's involved. You can usually get funds released from an account to pay for a funeral if necessary before you scientifiic close it. When I did my dads it was quite easy, I just filled in the form on their website, uploaded his death certificate abd a copy of my driving licence, used my Halifax account to verify my id and they closed the account and I had the money two days later. Nationwide probably have a more old fashioned approach and might have other requirements. Anyone dealing with Nationwide should only do so if they are entitled to deal with his estate, and should make sure they deal with things correctly in terms of how the money is distributed (paying creditors etc) Funeral costs come first and the £2000 is unlikely to cover them (the average cost is £4000+)

sausage_time

You may find some of the information here useful

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/what-to-do-when-someone-dies/

sheramber

If your son is entitled to child pension from his father’s pension the pension company may need more paperwork. 

MEM62

Make sure that you know what you are dealing with before you start interfering with his estate.  

Yorkie1

Before you start contacting them, have a look at this to see what @eskbanker was referring to in terms of showing that the bank may deal with you.

How to Apply for Letters of Administration in the UK | Contend Legal

There is an order of priority for who may deal with estates, which you may come up against, in the absence of a will.

Rob5342

You'd be better off posting in this section:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/deaths-funerals-probate

enthusiasticsaver

Funeral expenses can normally be paid out of bank accounts of the deceased so take the death certificate in as a first step.  It used to be they would just release the money if estate less than £5k but I am not sure if all banks/building societies do that. 

Rob5342

enthusiasticsaver said:

Funeral expenses can normally be paid out of bank accounts of the deceased so take the death certificate in as a first step.  It used to be they would just release the money if estate less than £5k but I am not sure if all banks/building societies do that. 

Banks all have their own limits and procedures. Lloyd's will release up to £50k without requiring probate, with ns and I their limit is £5k

Keep_pedalling

The problem here is that NW are unlikely release anything to the OP because she is not related to the deceased. 

Have you already arranged the funeral? 

Does your ex have any siblings or living parents?