Things to be returned: Order books, payable orders or giro-cheques to the Social Security office or other office which issued payment. This applies to a Child Benefit book which includes payment for a child who has died. Orders should not be cashed after the death of the person. It may be useful to keep a record of pension book numbers or other Social Security numbers before you send anything back. The deceased's passport to the Passport Office. You can get an address from the Post Office. The deceased's driving licence to Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency, Longview Road, Swansea LS6 7JL. The registration documents of a car for the change of ownership to be recorded. Any season tickets. Claim any refunds due. Library books and tickets. Any National Insurance papers to the relevant office. Any NHS equipment such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, artificial limbs. < back to top > The local social services department of the council if the person received meals on wheels, home help or day centre care or had an appliance or piece of equipment issued by the department. Any hospital the person was attending The family doctor to cancel any home nursing The Inland Revenue The Social Security office if money was being paid directly into bank or building society accounts - for example retirement pension, attendance allowance. Any employer and trade union Professional associations ie clubs or organisations A child or young person's teacher, employer or college if a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or close friend has died A car insurance company (if you are insured to drive the car under the deceased's name you will cease to be insured) The local offices of the gas, electricity and telephone suppliers The local housing department or landlord if the person who has died was living in rented accommodation The local council Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit section if the person who has died was receiving Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Benefit. The Post Office so that they can re-direct the deceased person's mail. < back to top > If there are any life insurance policies in force these will normally be found with the private papers of the deceased or they may be lodged in the bank or held by solicitors. Immediate notification of death should be sent to the insurance company concerned with a request that they should confirm that the policy is in force. The insurance company will require a copy of the Death Certificate. The insurance companies have certain requirements ie
The valid receipt creates the most problems as in most cases the insurance company requires Probate or Letters of Administration prior to signature being acceptable. Any changes in the Policy (house mortgage for example) must have been discharged. Industrial insurance policies or those taken out by a third party on the life of the deceased can be settled before Probate or Letters of Administration. Examination of Trusts will be necessary prior to payment if the policy is in trust or assigned to trustees. It is considered that a client should consult his insurance agent or solicitor or bank manager and due to delays that are inevitable the bank manager may assist financially as a temporary measure < back to top >
The next or kin or executor should inform the insurance company concerned who will offer immediate transfer or cover. The vehicle registration documents should be returned in due course to the licensing authority for transfer of ownership to the beneficiary. The driving licence of the deceased should be returned to the licensing authority. < back to top >
Before the estate of the deceased person ie everything they owned, can be realised and distributed among the persons entitled to share it, a grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is usually required. Probate - where the deceased has left a Will and the Will is proved to be the lawful act of the deceased person then the District Probate Registry (of the High Court) grants probate to the executors named in the Will enabling them to administer the estate. Click here for more information on Probate Services Letters of Administration - where there is no Will, the person is said to have died "intestate" and here application must be made to a special division of the High Court usually by the next of kin. This can be dealt with either through a solicitor or directly by the local probate office (see list at back of this brochure). The Court, when satisfied as to the claim of the applicant, issues the document known as Letters of Administration appointing the claimant to administer the "intestate" estate. < back to top > In most circumstances it is advisable for you to consult a solicitor both to relieve you of many worries and to take control of wills, problems of intestacy, outstanding debts, grants and letters of administration. A solicitor could save you a great deal of unnecessary trouble and eventually save you money. < back to top > If it is known that a Will was made it is important that the contents be ascertained as soon as possible after death as it may contain instructions regarding the funeral arrangements. A Will may be among personal papers or with the bank or solicitor for safe keeping. If a solicitor has been consulted by the deceased in recent past it is important that you contact them without delay. < back to top > Direct Marketing Association (Preference Services)
The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) helps you to make sure your telephone number is no longer available to organizations who may telephone you with offers and information you do not wish to receive.
The Fax Preference Service is a central opt out register whereby businesses (and individuals if they wish) can register their choice not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing faxes. It is a legal requirement that companies do not send such faxes to numbers registered on the FPS.
The Email Preference Service is a global service allows you to register your email address so as not to receive unsolicited sales and marketing email messages.
Baby MPS is a service, which allows parents who have suffered a miscarriage or bereavement of a baby in the first weeks of life to register their wish not to receive baby related mailings. < back to top > |
