What Documents Do Executors and Administrators Need After a Death?
From the Wills and Probate Team at Phillips Solicitors
One of the most common questions following a bereavement is what paperwork will be needed to deal with the estate.
Whether you are acting as an Executor under a Will or as an Administrator where there is no Will, gathering the right information at an early stage can make the process significantly easier and help avoid delays.
Key Documents You Will Usually Need
The exact requirements will depend on the circumstances of the estate, but the following information is commonly needed.
The Original Will
If the deceased left a Will, the original signed document should be located as soon as possible.
The original Will is usually required when applying for a Grant of Probate. Copies may be helpful for reference purposes but are not normally sufficient for the application itself.
Death Certificates
You will usually need several original copies of the death certificate.
Banks, insurers, pension providers, utility companies, and government departments may request an original certificate before they will release information or deal with the estate. Some organisations will accept certified copies instead.
Proof of Identity and Address
Executors and Administrators are often required to prove their identity before financial institutions or solicitors will provide information about the estate.
This may involve:
- A passport or driving licence.
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill or bank statement.
- Electronic identity verification.
Many solicitors and Probate providers now use electronic verification systems which check identity against official databases and credit reference agencies. In some cases, photo identification and facial recognition technology may also be used.
Information About Assets and Liabilities
You will usually need details of the deceased’s finances and property, including:
- Bank and savings accounts.
- Property ownership and mortgage information.
- Pension information.
- Life insurance policies.
- Investments and shareholdings.
- Premium Bonds and other savings products.
- Credit cards, loans, and other debts.
- Utility accounts and household liabilities.
Tax Information
Details of the deceased’s tax affairs may also be required.
This can include:
- Recent tax returns.
- PAYE information.
- Pension income details.
- Information needed for any Inheritance Tax reporting requirements.
- Details of any income or gains arising during the administration of the estate.
Depending on the estate, HM Revenue & Customs may need information before a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration can be obtained.
Why Is This Information Important?
Before deciding whether a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is required, it is usually necessary to understand:
- What assets form part of the estate.
- How those assets are owned.
- The approximate value of the estate.
- Whether any debts or liabilities exist.
- Whether there may be an Inheritance Tax liability.
The more organised the information is from the outset, the easier it will be to establish what legal and practical steps need to be taken.
Is a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration Always Needed?
Not necessarily.
Whether formal authority is required depends on the nature and value of the assets and the requirements of the organisations holding them.
Some smaller estates can be dealt with without a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration. Jointly owned assets may also pass automatically to a surviving owner in certain circumstances.
Each organisation will have its own requirements regarding the documentation needed before assets can be released.
GOV.UK confirms that the need for Probate depends on the type of assets involved and the requirements of the organisations holding them.
How Phillips Solicitors Can Help
Our Wills & Probate team can help you identify what documents are needed and what steps should be taken next.
We can:
- Review the available paperwork.
- Help identify estate assets and liabilities.
- Advise whether Probate or Letters of Administration are required.
- Assist with applications to the Probate Registry.
- Correspond with banks, financial institutions, and other organisations on your behalf.
- Support Executors and Administrators throughout the estate administration process.
We aim to make the process as straightforward as possible at what is often a difficult time.
Contact Us
If you are acting as an Executor or Administrator and are unsure what documents are needed, contact Phillips Solicitors to arrange an appointment with our Wills & Probate team.
Gathering the right information at the outset can save considerable time and avoid unnecessary delays later in the administration process.
You can contact us online or call 01623 658556 (option 4).
Useful links
- GOV.UK – Applying for Probate: Official guidance on when Probate or Letters of Administration may be required and the information needed to make an application.
- GOV.UK – Dealing with the Estate of Someone Who Has Died: Guidance for Executors, Administrators and Personal Representatives administering an estate.
- STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners): Independent information on Probate, estate administration, and inheritance matters.
- The Law Society: Information about obtaining legal advice and support with Probate and estate administration matters.
This article is general information only and is not legal advice on any individual case. The correct advice will depend on the facts, documents, family circumstances, and capacity position.