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Who can help you?

If you're acting as executor or administrator it's advisable to speak to the deceased's solicitor and accountant if they had one.

Whether or not you get help from a solicitor, to be able to deal with the deceased's affairs, and access funds, you'll normally need to apply to the Probate Registry for a 'Grant of Probate' or 'Letters of Administration'.

• What is probate?

• Applying for probate

Timescales

You have one year from the date of the deceased's death to sort out the estate before distributing it. After a year, you could become liable to pay interest on any undistributed assets.

Bear in mind that all bills, debts and taxes have to be settled before you can share out the deceased's remaining money, property and possessions.

Financial documents you'll need

Some of the documents you will need to find include the deceased's:

If the deceased was self-employed or a business partner you will also need to collect together any documents relating to their business.

• Documents and information needed when someone dies

Accessing the deceased's money

Normally only the executor or administrator will have access to the deceased's money and you will need various documents to do this.

However, there are some exceptions.

• Dealing with a deceased person's money and property

The deceased's tax affairs

Some estates have to pay Inheritance Tax. Some or all of this must be paid before the court will issue a Grant of Probate of Letters of Administration.

The deceased may also be owed a tax rebate, or may have to pay some tax.

If you sell the deceased's property or other assets at a gain (profit) Capital Gains Tax will be payable if the gain above the market value at the date of death (not the date of acquisition) exceeds the current Capital Gains Tax threshold.

• Inheritance Tax and the probate process

• Capital Gains Tax - threshold and rates information (money, tax and benefits section)

• What to do about tax and benefits after a death Opens new window

Other payments you may have to make

You may also need to pay:

• What happens to debts when someone dies? (money, tax and benefits section)

Money you may be able to collect

Money owed to a deceased is part of their estate. You may be able to claim:

However, any informal loans made by the deceased don't have to be repaid by the borrower.

Arranging your finances before you die

It's advisable to sort out your finances and make a will. This will save your surviving relatives additional distress when you die and make sure that your money, property and possessions are shared out as you want.

• Making a will

• Financial reasons to make a will

More useful links

• What to do after a death in England or Wales (PDF document, 230K) Opens new window

• Advice on dealing with someone's estate from Age UK Opens new window

• What to do if there is no will