Probate, property and possessions
funds. Only when these responsibilities have been completed can the personal representative distribute the remaining estate to those entitled to it. Please note: if someone holds power of attorney for a person, this authority ends at the time of death. If you are the personal representative, you may need to apply for probate. The Probate Office will issue a Grant of Probate if the deceased left a will, or Letters of Administration if there is no will. You can download the required forms, along with notes and guidance on the steps you need to take, from the inheritance tax and probate section of the HM Revenue & Customs website: www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance. You can also access Probate Records and request a copy of a will or grant at: www.gov.uk/search-will-probate.
When someone dies, somebody must organise their estate. This person is known as the personal representative (also known as the executor if they are named as such in the will). It is important to establish whether the deceased left a will, and if so, who the executor is. The will sets out what should happen to the deceased’s money, property and possessions (collectively known as the estate). The personal representative is responsible for paying all the deceased’s debts, taxes and expenses. These payments must be made from the estate, not from the personal representative’s own
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Bereavement Guide
www.surreycc.gov.uk/registration
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