If a family member dies, there are several legal steps that may need to be taken: Register the death The death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). The death certificate will be needed to settle the estate and claim benefits. Arrange the funeral The executor of the […]
The steps you need to take after a bereavement
What are letters of administration?
Letters of Administration are a legal document issued by a court that grants authority to an individual, known as the administrator, to manage the estate of a deceased person who did not leave a valid will. The administrator is responsible for distributing the assets of the estate among the deceased person’s heirs according to state laws governing inheritance. The administrator […]
Personal risks in being an executor
The executor to an estate has the job of winding up someone’s affairs after their death. It is a job that involves both responsibility and personal financial risk. After someone has died, their executor, named in their Will, has the role of administering their estate and ensuring that the beneficiaries receive everything to which they are entitled. It is important […]
Who is Your Next of Kin?
Most people tend to think that the term “next of kin” means someone closest to them in their family – their spouse or civil partner, parent, child or other relative. Legally, however, this may not always be the case. This apparent contradiction is the subject of this blog. When is your next of kin of automatic significance? If you haven’t […]
Do I Have To Act As An Executor If Named In a Will?
Administering a relative’s will can be a traumatic experience, but it’s not a role you are forced to do, even if you have been appointed to take on the task by the deceased relative in his or her will. There is a process available if you want to withdraw your rights to take on this task. It’s called renunciation and […]