Medical Examiners and Death Certification Reform
Monday 9th September 2024 marks the first major reform to the way that deaths are scrutinised for more than a generation. But what exactly does this mean and how or why might this affect you?
Estate planning and organising your affairs
It is perfectly normal to keep putting off estate planning to ‘get your affairs in order’, however, spending time organising your affairs ahead of time will significantly help your family and friends make a sad and difficult time less stressful. It will also enable them to more easily carry out your final wishes.
Planning Your Digital Legacy
With much of our life now being hosted online in various forms, it is more important than ever to consider your digital estate, and how your family will manage the process of both closing digital accounts and retaining digital assets in equal measure. With so many accounts and online assets, this can be a significant job for those close to you.
How to navigate the pitfalls of probate
Probate, the legal process of dealing with an individual’s estate, can, in the UK, be a slow process which puts strain on families, leaving some unable to access funds for some time. The service, managed by the Ministry of Justice, has been battling for years to clear a backlog of cases.
What To Do With Financial Affairs When Someone Dies
Dealing with financial affairs when someone dies can be complex and challenging.
Closing Bank Accounts When Someone Dies
Once a death has been registered, one of the first tasks will be to notify a bank to close active bank accounts. The accounts can be frozen until they are ultimately closed, and the funds are released.
What To Do with Social Media Accounts when Someone Dies
It can be difficult to know exactly how to manage live social media accounts that are no longer needed after a loved one has died. Social media forms a digital legacy belonging to each of us and deciding how to manage the account going forward is important and often difficult.
How To Tell Others About the Death of a Loved One
Telling others about the death of a close loved one or a person who is a little more removed from yourself can make them feel sad, shocked, or a deep sense of loss. Our guide suggests some different ways to tell others about a death of a loved one, which could make it a little easier for you.
What Is A Power Of Attorney And How Do You Set It Up?
We include the definition of both an ordinary and a lasting power of attorney, why you need one and whether you can do it yourself or you need a solicitor. We also consider how long it takes, the costs involved and some helpful sources for more information.
Probate Explained
Every day we meet with families who require help, support, and advice at the time of a loved one’s death and probate and estate administration is commonly a challenging area to deal with.