Son's widow unsure what she's entitled to

System

This discussion was created from comments split from: Letters of administration / poers of probate.

newbieoap

son recently passed leaving widow. Had been on benefits for 20 plus years. Had no savings. Car was mutability and has been returned. Has no assets as his interest in marvel and Star Wars models were purchased through his PIP payments which he was entitled to use for whatever he chose to assist his day to day needs. The majority of the balance was purchased by me. I would estimate its total value at less than £1000. His widow received benefits through my son’s benefits and at the moment is unaware of what she is entitled to which does not impact on my son’s “estate “. I believe that the need for Letters of Administration is a moot point but would appreciate your opinion.

BooJewels

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81881861#Comment_81881861

Sorry for your loss. You should really start your own thread, rather than divert this one, as it may get overlooked. Has your daughter-in-law applied for Bereavement Support Payment - as long as your son paid some NI, she should qualify for it - I got it and my late husband was on PIP when he died. If she also got Carers Allowance, there's an 8 week run on period, but they don't volunteer it - you have to ask for it.

ETA : forgot to mention - chances are that you won't need to apply for LOA - it's usually needed for selling property, large bank balances etc. My usual advice is to not do it until you encounter a problem that needs it - wait until someone asks/insists they need it. I didn't apply for Probate with my husband, as there was a Will and everything was in joint names or had already been put in my name - so no one ever asked for it.

ETA 2: I see that the thread has now been spit, so hopefully you'll get some answers.

tacpot12

To find out what ongoing benefits she is entitled to, your daughter-in-law should use one of the benefit calculators available here: Benefits calculators - GOV.UK

If she has any questions about specific benefits, there is a Benefits board on MSE Forum. This is the best place to ask questions, but the Search facility can also be useful as many of the questions that people have are reoccuring.

Keep_pedalling

Letters of administration will not be required for such a small estate. If he has any sole bank accounts with anything in them the bank will release the funds to his widow on production of a death certificate and proof of ID. His chattels now belong to her and she can do as she pleases with them.