It is already a difficult time when a loved one passes away and their estate is being administered. However, this challenging period can be made even more difficult when the Executor or Administrator (collectively known as Personal Representatives) of the deceased’s estate also passes away during the administration process. When a chain of representation is unable to be used to allow for the administration of the estate to continue, a new application to the Probate Registry will need to be made for a Grant de Bonis Non Administratis (less formally known as a Grant de Bonis Non).

In the UK, the Executor of a Will is responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the Will. The specific duties of an Executor may include:

Probate refers to the process of obtaining a Grant of Probate, which is a legal document that an Executor may have to obtain in order to administer the estate of someone who has passed away. Many choose to instruct a professional to apply for probate on their behalf, as it is a complicated process that involves a lot of paperwork and legal knowledge.

When dealing with the death of a loved one, many Executors find themselves worrying about the costs of administering the estate and how fees can be paid. Acting as an Executor or Administrator is not a paid role, and it’s common to feel concerned that it may leave you out of pocket. In this blog, we’ll cover what probate is and whether probate (and other fees) can be paid out of the estate.

Probate refers to the process of applying for a Grant of Probate(when there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (when there is no Will), which are legal documents that the person dealing with the estate may be required to obtain. If required, the Grant of Representation (the umbrella term for both documents) gives this individual the legal right to proceed with estate administration, which is the entire process of dealing with the assets and liabilities of someone who has died and then distributing their estate to the beneficiaries.

When someone passes away, probate may be required before their assets can be dealt with. This blog discusses what probate is, when it's required, and the probate thresholds of some UK financial institutions.

The term Personal Representative might sound daunting, especially if you’re navigating the complex process of estate administration for the first time. A Personal Representative is responsible for the administration of a deceased person's estate; they are liable for various legal and financial tasks that ensure the smooth transition of assets to the beneficiaries.

When you’re faced with the responsibility of being named as an Executor in a Will, there are many things to consider. The tasks included in the role can be time-consuming and involve complex legal jargon, which can prove overwhelming during the difficult time of losing someone. Whilst an Executor is required to deal with the estate, help is available, and they have the option of instructing a professional provider. In this blog, we will provide an overview of the Executor role and why it can be beneficial to seek professional support.

Please note that Kings Court Trust only deals with Premium Bonds when administering the estate of an owner who has passed away. We are not able to track, claim, or sell Premium Bonds otherwise. When someone passes away, all of their assets must be dealt with as part of the estate administration process. This can include property, personal belongings, cash, bank accounts, and more. One asset that is not as commonly discussed is Premium Bonds. However, Premium Bonds form part of an individual’s estate just like a bank or savings account and therefore must be dealt with when handling the assets.