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Bereavement Guide
Dealing with the death of a loved one and the practical steps you’ll need to take.
In this guide:
It can be difficult to know where to start, and our guide is designed to provide you and your family with a useful source of information to help support you through this incredibly hard time with the least amount of difficulty, based on our personal experiences and professional expertise of dealing with our own families and clients.
Please note that the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) does not regulate cash flow planning, estate planning, tax or trust advice.
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From this guide:
Dealing with the estate - Gathering all the documents you need
To start the process of dealing with an estate, you need to gather together as many documents relating to the person’s possessions as you can. You need to find items such as:
- Investment portfolio statements
- Bank account details and statements
- Insurance documents
- Car ownership documents
- Property ownership deeds
- Evidence of any debts
Many of these documents may be filed in the personal papers of the deceased. If this is not
the case, it may be worth speaking to their solicitor (if known), an independent financial
adviser (IFA), their bank/s, their insurance companies, the DVLA and for property deeds
specifically, the Land Registry.
When you are contacting each of the organisations about the death, they will ordinarily require a certified copy of the death certificate. These will need to be obtained directly from the registrar. It can be useful to buy a number of copies when you are registering the death, as they are often
cheaper at that time.
Download the full guide to read more.
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Meet our expert team
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Merve Oral
Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, FPFS
Merve is a Chartered Financial Planner and a Fellow of the Personal Finance Society. She creates bespoke financial plans in partnership with her clients to help them secure their financial future and enjoy their desired lifestyle with peace of mind.
Sarah Beall
Financial Adviser - Chartered Financial Planner, FPFS
A Fellow of the Personal Finance Society, Sarah has worked in financial services since 2011 and works in partnership with her clients to ensure they understand what they are capable of achieving and how they can get there. In particular, she provides clarity around complex strategies to put her clients at ease.
Daniel Schofield
Partner - DipPFS
Daniel provides advice focused on the disciplines of personal and corporate financial planning, investment portfolio management, Inheritance Tax (IHT) planning and mitigation, and legacy and succession planning.