Husband Died - EE want to increase contract length & monthly cost to transfer contract into my name

Nenen

I would really appreciate some help - I am usually quite tech and money-saving savvy, but my husband's death 8 weeks ago has knocked me for six, and I am really struggling to know what to do for the best.

My late husband took out a 2-Year contract with EE for full-fibre 500 broadband and a landline phone in March 2025.

The broadband + landline package (with inclusive anytime calls) is currently £58.62 per month

He also took out a SIM card package for our 2 mobile phones. I don't know when this was started, but I think/hope this package is out of the contract period now. The 2 SIM cards cost £34.50 per month. (I want to keep both mobile phones going with our current numbers for the next few months at least)

Sadly, my husband died in February 2026. I have spoken to the EE 'Life Events' team (who deal with bereavements), and they insist that I need to either close the account or change the account into my name. They told me that if I change the account into my name, there will be an increase in cost for the Broadband and landline package because the joint discount they gave my husband will no longer be applied. Furthermore, I will be locked into a new 24-month contract at this increased price!

I have used the MSE Broadband Comparison tool and have found much cheaper deals with other providers, including BT (who I know EE are now part of the same company). I tried ringing BT to see if I could take out a new contract with them, ideally with a 'new customer discount' but they insist on putting me back to the EE Bereavement Team to go round in yet more circles.

I know I could just cancel my late husband's EE broadband and landline contract, but I am unsure if that will happen with immediate effect - thus leaving me without broadband or landline until I can set up something with another provider. I am already overwhelmed with all the tasks connected to administering my husband's affairs, most of which require the internet. I am extremely anxious about having to deal with yet more stress and hassle if I try to switch providers and it all goes pear-shaped!

Therefore, I am tempted to take the easiest solution, which would be to just pay all the increases to EE for the next two years. However, given that I am now on a severely reduced income, I really don't want to do that if I can avoid it.

Any advice will be gratefully received.

JSmithy45AD

You could just leave the BB & landline running for the next 12 months as is, and use the OTS system to switch at the end of that period.

You need to check the state of the mobile contracts and if out of contract, then sending a text with just PAC in it to 65075 from each phone will allow you to switch to perhaps a monthly rolling service such as Lebara (much cheaper). Once you no longer need access to your late husbands phone you can cancel it with 31 days notice.

Nenen

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81975779#Comment_81975779

The way EE have explained it is that I either have to cancel the contract or, if I don't want to do that, then I HAVE to change it into my name and by doing this I HAVE to take out a new contract. I'm so frustrated - I wish I hadn't even informed them of my husband's death and just kept paying the bill!

Robin9

Sometimes I think these bereavement teams need to put themselves in the position you are in. All you want is a sympathetic ear.

I suggest you just do the phone sims at this time - look at Smarty for one.

ScratchyCat

Wow I am surprised. Firstly, I'm sorry for your loss. I lost my mum last year and have had an awful time sorting out everything so I know how difficult it is. The reason I'm surprised is because we were with EE and they actually were very good with us. We missed a payment as it was going out of my mums account and there wasnt enough money in there. The account got frozen as well. When I reported the bereavement it was part way through the next month as well. We actually scrapped the broadband and landline (now have a broadband router and just use the mobile) so I thought we would have to pay at least two months plus a late payment fee. They actually waived it all as a gesture of good will.

If the sims are out of contract. There is a number you can dial from each mobile to check this. It was given out on the ML money show, sorry cant remember it just now. I would ditch and switch, there is much cheaper deals to be had on phones. That would save you for starters.

The broadband and landline package your paying is more than we paid per month as well. I would seriously have a think if you need the landline number if you've got multiple mobiles. I know it is hard to consider ditching this. We had the same landline number for 50 years. I still come in now and look where the phone use to sit with its answer phone. Looking to see if anyone has left a message. I miss the landline but at the same time I'm more contactable on the mobile as its always with me, unlike a landline. I've made a huge saving though ditching it.

Sorry I've probably not been much help in the short term with your issues. I know what you mean about relying on having Internet access whilst sorting things though. Hopefully given some ideas. But it seems a lot of money to be paying out.

MyRealNameToo

Have you shopped around for broadband and phone prices? Their website states you cancel for free on the death of the account holder so you are free to go elsewhere if you can get a better deal.

By the sounds of it they are saying there is no option but to cancel the contract so the only other question is if you want a new contract with them or someone else. It would be nice if they allowed you to novate the contract to yourself but normally the parties would have to execute a deed of novation (which adds complexity) and it doesnt sound like they offer novation.

nevryn

Hi,

We're going through something similar. Account with EE is in deceased parent's name, it's out of contract, expensive and we want to move to another supplier and in the other parent's name. Spoken to Vodafone and their advice is to open a new account with them under the new name and request a transfer of the old account over from EE. Then the new account will be in the new name and the old account will be automatically closed. They advised telling EE about the death and that a 'working line transfer' has been requested through a new supplier. EE should then simply go through the transfer process and then close the old account.

We've only got as far as a chat with Vodafone but will update this once we've created the new account so can't attest whether the practice follows the theory. We haven't decided whether telling EE is worth the risk of them doing something stupid.

I hope this helps.

southsidergs

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81981078#Comment_81981078

That advice from Vodafone if a working line takeover has been placed is wrong & could cause issues,. If the takeover is open just let it go through & do not contact EE

DarthDaisy

Just dump EE and move to a new provider, they do not deserve your custom and in a few months you will be angry with them if you are stuck in a contract with them.