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What to do when someone dies in Chester
Comprehensive list of all local services required to carry out all the tasks follwing someones death.
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1. Immediate tasks
Step 1
Register the death
This includes time-sensitive obligations that are required before anything else can proceed.
The death must be registered within five days of the death.
Local regsitry
Other local contacts
Police
NHS etc
Step 2
Notify the family
This includes time-sensitive obligations that are required before anything else can proceed.
The death must be registered within five days of the death.
Step 3
Secure the property
Make it safe.
Get a locksmith.
Shortcode for Chester locksmiths.
2. Register the death
Step 1
Book an appointment at the local registrar
The death must be registered within five days of the death.
The registrar will have received the MCCD from the relevant medical practitioner, or
Step 3
You will need the death certificate from the registrar to carry out the following important tasks.
Notify banks
Notify each bank of the death. They will freeze accounts and can pay the funeral director directly.
Notify pension providers
State penisons are held with the Department of Work and Pensions. They will be covered by the Tell Us Once service. Or you can call 0800 731 0469.
Private pension providers will need contacting seperately.
Notify Life Insurance companies
Notify to claim death benefits and stop premiums. Each provider will need a death certificate.
Home and contents insurer
Notify of the death and confirm ongoing cover, especially if the property is now unoccupied.
3. Arrange the funeral
Step 1
Check for a pre-paid funeral plan
It is important to check for a pre=paid funeral plan before appointing a funeral director, because you could risk losing the full cost of the funeral.
Step 2
Appoint a funeral director
The funeral director will arrange collection.
Executor is legally responsible. Get Coroner clearance first if the death was referred.
Notify the care home
If death occurred in a care home, liaise promptly — fees continue until the person and belongings are removed.
Step 3
Arrange the funeral
The funeral director coordinates the service, liaises with the crematorium or cemetery, and handles the paperwork.
Choose a Crematorium or Cemetery
Establish their wishes and book the appropriate location.
Book other services for the funeral
You may want to consider any of the following:
- Funeral celebrant
- Florist
- Wake venue and caterers
- Grave tending service
4. Estate administration
All the required steps for dealing with the will, probate, and distribution of their estate.
There can be many pitfalls and complications when administering their estate, but we can provide expert advice on finding the right service providers for you and your situation, and help ensure you pay the right price for any professional service.
Step 1
Find the will and locate the executor
Short sentence on this. This could be with their solicitor, or HM Probate registry, or NWR.
Notify HMRC
Submit the final tax return and notify of the death. 0300 200 3300. IHT must be paid before probate is granted.
Step 2
Apply for Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration)
Needed in most cases to release and distribute assets. Not always required for small estates.
Appoint professional service providers
You may or may not need professional help with probate and admistration.
In many cases you can save money by carrying out tasks yourself, ir hiring the best value practitioners.
We can help [link to broker page]
Step 3
Administer and distribute the estate
Collect all assets, settle debts, then distribute to beneficiaries named in the will.
This is the responsibility of the executer.
The vast majority of estates are distributed smoothly and without problems, although it is not uncommon for disputes over inheritance to arise.
Depending on your circumstances, you may require professional legal services to resolve any disputes that arise between beneficiaries and/or the executors.
5. Property and possessions
Their property and possessions need consolidating and taking care of, which may be required as part of the probate process, or simply to make sure everything is secure and safe.
This should be taken care of alongside the probate proceedings.
Step 1
Get a probate valuation of any property
Required for Inheritance Tax purposes. Must be completed before probate is granted.
You may require a professional sureveyor.
Step 2
Clear the property
If required.
You may want to hire a house clearance specialist.
You may require an auctioneer to sell possessions.
Step 3
Sell the property
Property cannot normally be sold until probate is granted, but marketing can begin earlier.
You will need an estate agent.
6. General administration
Smaller tasks that can run in parallel with the other responsibilites.
Step 1
Redirect mail
Stop unwanted mail
Contact Royal Mail, set up redirect.
Step 2
Cancel subscriptions
Close all accounts, subscriptions and memberships
Step 3
Close online accounts
You can use digital estate services to close all online social media or email accounts.
You might need password recovery.