wealth management guide for private clients probate checklist · wealth management guide for...

Wealth Management Guide for Private Clients Probate Checklist April 2008

Contents

Private and Confidential

Introduction

Part A Part B Appendix 1 – Information relating to executors and beneficiaries under the Will Appendix 2 – Family tree Appendix 3 – Additional information

Introduction

1

The following checklist is intended to help when making an initial search through the deceased’s papers. Not all of the items will be relevant or readily available in your particular case. Please ignore any sections that are not relevant in your case.

We will acknowledge receipt of any papers or documents which you forward to us. We suggest that any original documents (for example the original Will) are sent to us by special delivery.

Answers to the preliminary questions will also help us with some of the general information we will need in dealing with the estate.

You may wish to complete the checklist in full or, alternatively, use it as an aide memoire to prepare for the initial meeting in relation to the estate

If you have received this document in paper form and would like it emailed to you to complete on screen, please let us know.

If you need any help please contact

Carol Cummins Associate (FCCA) t +44 (0)117 917 3242 f +44 (0)117 917 3243 [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Part A

2

1. Registration of death Yes No Comments

(a) Has the death been registered?

(b) Please confirm who paid for the death certificates and how many were obtained.

(c) If registered, please let us have the death certificates obtained. Death Certificates are now Crown Copyright so we are unable to produce certified copies. Where necessary we will obtain further certificates from the Registrar.

2. The Will Yes No Comments

(a) Do you have the original last Will and Testament of the deceased?

If no, where is the original held?

(b) Are there any special directions in the Will or other written request relating to the disposal of the body?

3. The Funeral Yes No Comments

(a) The relatives usually make the funeral arrangements with the help of the funeral director. Do you require any help or advice from us in this connection?

(b) Do you wish us to advise anyone of the details of the funeral arrangements?

(c) Name:

If the funeral has already been arranged, please let us have the name, address and telephone number of the funeral director. Address:

Telephone:

Part A

3

4. The deceased's residence Yes No Comments

(a) Is anyone going to be physically occupying the property?

If 'yes' please go to question 4.(c)

(b) If the property is unoccupied:

s No

(i) Please confirm that all valuable items have been removed to safe custody. You should make a list of any items you remove from the property.

(ii) Have arrangements been made for redirection of mail?

(iii) Have deliveries to the property been cancelled?

(iv) Who will regularly inspect the property?

(v) Please confirm that the property, as far as possible, has been made physically secure.

(vi) Do you wish us to have a set of keys to the property?

(vii) If the property is rented, has the landlord been informed?

Name: (viii) Please let us have the name, address and telephone number of the landlord if the property is rented.

Address:

Telephone:

Yes No Comments

(c) Has the insurance company been notified of the death?

Name: If not, please let us have the name and address of the insurers, together with the policy numbers of the buildings and contents policies. Address:

Part A

4

4. The deceased's residence Yes No Comments

Telephone:

Contents policy number

Buildings policy number

5. Car Yes No Comments

Is there are a car?

If so:

(i) Is it required for immediate use by anyone, subject to insurance arrangements being made?

(ii) Will it be kept in a locked garage when not in use?

(iii) Who holds the keys and registration documents Name:

Address:

6. Pets and other livestock Yes No Comments

Did the deceased have any pets or other livestock at the date of death? If so:

(i) Have you made arrangements for someone to take care of them?

(ii) If yes, is this a temporary arrangement or

a permanent arrangement for their care

(iii) If no, would you like us to assist in contacting organisation who may be able to care for them on a temporary or permanent basis?

Part A

5

7. Banking arrangements Yes No Comments

Have the bank(s) where the deceased held active current account(s) been notified of the death so that the account can be frozen for ongoing standing orders and direct debits?

If not:

(a) Would you like us to notify the bank(s)?

If yes, please provide the bank and account details for each relevant account:

Bank:

Branch:

Account number(s):

Bank 1

Sort code:

Bank:

Branch:

Account number(s):

Bank 2

Sort code:

Part B

6

Where relevant, please provide all information and documents requested below to enable us to make an early and efficient start on the administration of the estate

1. Will and Family Details Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes

(a) All original Death Certificates issued by the Registrar

(b) Original Will and any Codicils (if not already held by us).

(c) Letters or notes (if any) left by the deceased expressing wishes about gifts to be made or giving instructions for the funeral.

(d) Names of any beneficiaries named in the Will who have died.

(e) The addresses of all executors and beneficiaries named in the Will.

See appendix one.

(f) The deceased's birth and marriage certificates may be needed in the administration. Please forward to Osborne Clarke, if available.

(g) A family tree showing the immediate family, (e.g. spouse, children and grandchildren but if none of these relevant please show details of surviving parents, siblings, nephews/nieces, great nephews/nieces). Please indicate the full dates of birth of any family members under the age of 18.

See appendix two.

Part B

7

Check list of papers needed by Osborne Clarke (continued). Please provide a copy of any valuations already obtained

2. Assets (In each case indicate whether in sole or joint names) Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes and information

Title deeds of any property (or address where held).

Share certificates (or address where held).

Name of stockbroker and address.

Bank:

Branch:

Sort Code:

Account Number:

Bank:

Branch:

Sort Code:

Account Number:

Bank:

Details of bank accounts - bank, branch, sort code and account number. There is no need to repeat details already given on page 4.

Branch:

Sort Code:

Account Number:

Part B

8

Assets (In each case indicate whether in

sole or joint names)

Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes and information

Society:

Branch address:

Account number:

Society:

Branch address:

Account number:

Society:

Branch address:

Details of Building Society accounts - society, branch address and account number.

Account number:

Premium Savings Bonds – please supply bonds and holder's number card.

National Savings Certificates – please supply certificates and holder's number card

Uncashed cheques e.g. dividend warrants – please supply these as we will usually be able to bank them on client account.

Details of the amount of any cash in deceased's possession – e.g. in the deceased's wallet/purse and around the property.

Part B

9




Life assurance policies (or address where held).

Where not already held by us, please supply the original policy documents and original trust deeds relating to them.

Details of any pension or state benefit deceased received i.e. name and address of payer, pension number, pension book if any and details of account to which pension paid.

Recent statements of pension payments or tax

Deduction certificates are generally useful to have.

Details of any salary or fees due, please include a list of name of employer/client and amount due.

Details of interests in a business (if any).

The registration document and insurance details of any car owned.

Details of any personal effects and where stored.

Part B

10




Details of any foreign assets.

Papers relating to membership of Lloyd's (if applicable).

Papers relating to trade union or professional subscriptions.

Papers relating to clubs, memberships, subscriptions e.g. charities, voluntary organisations, consumer and motoring associations.

3. Debts and liabilities Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes and information

Funeral account (when available).

Unpaid bills e.g. gas, electricity, water, telephone, mortgage, overdraft or loan account, council tax, rent or service charge.

All credit cards and charge cards and recent statements.

Recent papers relating to tax matters – i.e. all income and chargeable disposals from the 6 April following the year of assessment for the last tax return submitted by the deceased.

Name:

Address:

Telephone:

Name, address and telephone number of accountant (if any)

Contact name:

Part B

11

4. Insurance (In each case indicate whether in sole or joint names)


(a) Details of home insurance cover including policy documents and renewal notices

(b) Details of household and personal possessions insurance cover including policy documents and renewal notices.

(c) Details of car insurance including policy documents and renewal notices.

5. Other Papers and information Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes and information

Details of gifts made in the last seven years which exceeds the annual inheritance tax exemptions e.g. total gifts in any one tax year which together exceed £3,000.

1. Details of standing orders or direct debits which will need amendment.

2. Details of any Trusts from which the deceased benefited

3. The deceased's passport, driving licence, National Insurance and medical cards.

NOTE: This list is intended to help clients in making an initial search through the deceased's papers.

Not all of the items will be available or relevant in all cases.

Debts and liabilities Papers passed to Osborne Clarke Notes and information

Paperwork relating to items on hire or borrowed items e.g. library books, hospital equipment, tv rental.

appendix one information relating to executors and beneficiaries under the Will

12

Please note that it is our standard practice to write formally to beneficiaries under the Will to notify them of their legacy and will do this unless you instruct us otherwise

Name of Executors Full Postal Address, Telephone Number and Email Address

Date of Birth (where under 18)

Where under 18 – Parents names and address (where different)

1.

2.

3.

4.

Name of Beneficiary Full Postal Address Date of Birth (where under 18)


1.

2.

3.

4

appendix one information relating to executors and beneficiaries under the Will

13

Name of Beneficiary Full Postal Address Date of Birth (where under 18)


5

6

7

8

9

10

appendix two family tree

14

Where the deceased did not leave a Will but left a spouse, child, grandchild or great-grandchild it is not necessary to give details of other relatives

Name Address Date of Birth

Spouse and descendants:

Surviving spouse

Child

Child

Child

Child

Child

Child

Grandchild

Grandchild


15


Grandchild

Grandchild

Grandchild

Grandchild

Grandchild

Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild


16


Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild

Great-Grandchild


17


Surviving other family members::

Mother

Father

sibling

sibling

sibling

sibling

sibling

niece/nephew

niece/nephew


18


niece/nephew

niece/nephew

niece/nephew

grandniece/ grandnephew



appendix three additional information

19

This page is left blank for you to give additional information as you consider appropriate

wealth management guide for private clients probate checklist · wealth management guide for...

Documents