When is probate required?

[Surfer01]

My father has passed away and in his will requested a cost effective paupers funeral with no minister, eulogy or any ceremony. He was on Pension Credit does not own any fixed property as such, just normal household furnishings. However we found about £12000 savings.

 

We are ourselves on Pension credit and have very little savings. I am also disabled otherwise we would consider a DIY funeral where we transport the body in a shroud to the crematorium. Funeral directors want over £1000 to perform this simple task.

 

If we are unable to do a cost effective paupers funeral then all his assets are to go to the RAF Association and this places us in a difficult situation as it seems we cannot do a paupers funeral due to the amount of huis savings. Basically it seems our chances of inheriting anything are now minimal.

 

Up to date we have had a few costs regarding his stay in hospitals and care homes over the past 5 months plus purchasing items to make his last days as confortable as possible.

 

We are also concerned whether probate is required as this will be an additional expense. Can any oen please advsie regarding the funeral and probate?

Edited December 26, 2014 by citizenB
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[citizenB]

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/wales/relationships_w/relationships_death_and_wills_e/dealing_with_the_financial_affairs_of_someone_who_has_died.htm

 

The CAB fact sheet linked above might give you some answers

[citizenB]

Keeping the costs of funerals down.

 

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/how-much-does-a-funeral-cost

 

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/jun/28/funeral-die-low-cost-options

 

The article in the link above is excellent and provides a lot of information for low cost or DIY funeral/cremations.

 

Please do let us know how you proceed as it is a question that others have raised as well.

Edited December 26, 2014 by citizenB

[citizenB]

http://theprobatedepartment.co.uk/do-i-need-probate/

[honeybee13]

Hi Surfer. I'm sorry to hear about your Dad.

 

I'll post one more link, to the Probate Office for England and Wales. I've rung them in the past and found them helpful.

 

https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/overview

 

HB

[Surfer01]

Reading through everything it seems that probate probably is not required.

[honeybee13]

I think you may need to formalise things with the probate office unless there is a lower limit for the value of the estate. With a straightforward will, you don't need a lawyer.

 

You won't have a problem with inheritance tax though, £12k is way below the threshold.

 

HB