Unlikely to be around much in 2024

wolf · Tennis legend

Unlikely to be around much in 2024

Tanaqui · Club Coach

So sorry to hear of your loss, Wolf. When my mum died (it's over ten years ago now), I also remember struggling to think clearly or focus or do more than one thing at a time, so you're not alone in that. And it does pass after a while. Wishing you the best for the rest of the process.

Elegant Point · Satellite level

DF wrote:
The situation after a death such as you Kundalini and you wolf have suffered seems to have been made much worse with having to

sort out the financial aspect. I found this out myself when I lost my mother.

I wonder if having a power of attorney would have made the situation easier. We have been advised to set one up so that it will be easier for our

children in the future. Does anyone here have any experience of these?

My parents set up a LPA (lasting power of attorney) for health and welfare and another for property and financial decisions. My dad died a few years ago and my mother found coping with his death, coupled with loss of social contact during Covid overwhelming. We have had to take over the decision making processes for her and found the LPA extremely useful.

this website contains some useful information

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/legal-issues/power-of-attorney/

kundalini · Specialist Reporter + Intermediate Club Player

Probate was approved 5th June (slightly less than 6 months after my dad's death).

They received online probate application on the 14th May and documents on the 24th May (Royal Mail tracking had them receiving the will on the 16th May).

That stage took a lot less time than I was expecting. Inheritance tax say 4 weeks to provide the code required to apply for probate yet in reality took 7 weeks, then used the same set of figures I had provided them.

I was confused about whether my dad's Spanish will meant we had to do paper probate rather than online, as going through the online process there were no foreign assets questions. Phoned to ask, told to send copy of foreign will. They said probate would get stopped, which means huge time delay; fortunately didn't happen.

I did it all myself. A few things I would have done differently in hindsight.

My dad writing a list of his assets was very helpful even though some of the companies involved had been taken-over. Also his will and Spanish will were straightforward; which perhaps helps to explain why probate arrived so quickly.

Don't mind inheritance tax but have big issues with them charging interest on tax owed on assets that you can't sell because you haven't got the probate yet.

Probably putting house up for sale May next year as it is far more attractive in the sunshine. Painted 3 rooms so far. House clearance has been awkward and more time consuming than I had assumed. My sister wants to check almost everything and I would prefer items go to Charity Shops or be recycled, rather than to general rubbish. Originally hoped to put house on the market in late August/early September for an autumn sale but we are running behind schedule on house clearance and the current interest rate situation isn't ideal for selling houses.

Hoping to sell my dad's Tenerife apartment towards the end of this year or early next year. Use that money to pay-off the remaining inheritance tax and all the Spanish fees.

I've managed to watch a few Emma matches but very little time for normal stuff.

the addict · Tennis legend

Sorry to hear that several of you have had losses.

I'm currently going through the process as my father died in April. Tell Us Once is a very good service as is Life Ledger. The former deals with all the Government departments and worked surprisingly quickly. Life Ledger does a similar thing and lets you contact utilities, banks and many other institutions etc (eg National Trust is on the list) although you have to mesage them individually. I'm waiting for the valuation on the house now before I hand everything over to the solicitors as I really don't want to deal with IHT and other complications leading up to probate.

Tanaqui · Club Coach

Really sorry to hear you have also lost a parent, TA. I hope the administrative processes (and solicitors) prove straightforward to deal with, and that you're able to spend your time and energy on remembering and celebrating all the good things about your father and his life.

Elegant Point · Satellite level

Sorry to hear about those who have recently lost a parent.

Currently also going through probate. Although all 3 siblings had power of attorney, sadly my mother only designated one person in the Will for probate. My sister is a solicitor and has done probate professionally, however she doesnt want to do it for my mothers estate. My other sister and I are willing to do the work, but the named sibling wont relinquish control hmm and has handed probate over to a solicitor at significant cost and theres nothing we can do about it.

Not to be too miserable, but I just want to encourage EVERYONE to make a will and have more than one person named for probate ( can have up to 4).