I want to highlight this in case people are not aware. It could save someone some serious money!
I have been looking after mum's financial affairs with PoA during her dementia. After she passed on Monday, I made some calls early Tuesday to keep myself busy. One was to her bank where she had two accounts - a current account which her pension and benefits went into, and another, an ISA, with a few thousand in it.
Mum did not make a Will (it's just me left, I didn't feel a requirement). I was already planning to do DIY Probate to sort her accounts. But, when I called the Bereavement Team at the bank, they advised me that for small amounts, there was no need for Probate. Now, I appreciate that mine is a simple case - it's just me. I was asked about the existence of a Will and said there wasn't one. They froze mum's accounts and advised me to call again once I was in possession of the Death Certificate. I was driving around yesterday and had an idle moment in the car and had their number and had the DC with me. I called them. They asked for a few more details, in particular some information from the DC - and then said within three days the accounts would be closed and funds transfer to my account (also at same bank).
I'm not sure what the situation would have been if she'd left a Will, but if anyone is ever in the same boat, please speak to the financial institutions first. I can't believe how easy this was. In fact it was a lot easier than getting the paperwork signed at the hospital! I did mention several times that it would be useful for me to use some of these funds for her funeral costs, so not sure if that made any difference, but I am surprised how easy the whole process was. It makes sense to me - at least I didn't waste any money on legal advice or costly, lengthy legal processes.
I have been looking after mum's financial affairs with PoA during her dementia. After she passed on Monday, I made some calls early Tuesday to keep myself busy. One was to her bank where she had two accounts - a current account which her pension and benefits went into, and another, an ISA, with a few thousand in it.
Mum did not make a Will (it's just me left, I didn't feel a requirement). I was already planning to do DIY Probate to sort her accounts. But, when I called the Bereavement Team at the bank, they advised me that for small amounts, there was no need for Probate. Now, I appreciate that mine is a simple case - it's just me. I was asked about the existence of a Will and said there wasn't one. They froze mum's accounts and advised me to call again once I was in possession of the Death Certificate. I was driving around yesterday and had an idle moment in the car and had their number and had the DC with me. I called them. They asked for a few more details, in particular some information from the DC - and then said within three days the accounts would be closed and funds transfer to my account (also at same bank).
I'm not sure what the situation would have been if she'd left a Will, but if anyone is ever in the same boat, please speak to the financial institutions first. I can't believe how easy this was. In fact it was a lot easier than getting the paperwork signed at the hospital! I did mention several times that it would be useful for me to use some of these funds for her funeral costs, so not sure if that made any difference, but I am surprised how easy the whole process was. It makes sense to me - at least I didn't waste any money on legal advice or costly, lengthy legal processes.
