When someone dies there is so much to think about and it can feel hard to know where to start. Along with the sadness of losing a loved one you may suddenly be responsible for sorting through their belongings and dealing with their estate.
This process is called probate. It is the legal way of handling everything a person has left behind. That usually means making sure debts are paid and any remaining assets are shared out according to the will. In practice it often involves clearing a property, searching for documents and certificates, and making decisions about personal possessions that may hold great sentimental value.
When you are grieving, managing all this can feel overwhelming. That is why many families choose to use a professional probate clearance service. At Anglia House Clearance we work with solicitors to make the process run smoothly. Our team clears the property with care and discretion and ensures that important items and paperwork are set aside so nothing is lost.
The first formal step is to register the death. In England and Wales this needs to be done within five days. You can contact the local registry office in the area where the person died. To register you will need the medical certificate of cause of death, which is normally issued by the hospital or GP.
Not everyone can register a death. It must be done by a close relative, someone present at the time of death or a person in a position of authority, such as the manager of a care home.
Once the death has been registered you will receive the death certificate. This document is vital, as you will need it for organising the funeral and for handling financial and legal matters that come later.
The next step is to find out if there is a will. This document makes clear who has been named as executor and who should inherit. Sometimes the will is kept safely with a solicitor or stored at home with other important papers. It may also be accompanied by codicils, which are formal updates to the original will.
If you are named as executor you can choose to manage the probate process yourself or you can appoint a professional to act on your behalf. If no will exists the estate is handled under the rules of intestacy. These rules decide who inherits, usually starting with a surviving spouse or children.
For a closer look at what it feels like to clear a loved one’s home when they move into care, read our guide on how to approach clearing a family home after a loved one moves into care.
Do you always need probate
Probate is not required in every case. If the estate is considered small, or if there is no property or land involved, banks or building societies may agree to release funds without it. Each organisation sets its own limit. In some cases that limit is around five thousand pounds, while in others it can be up to fifty thousand pounds.
If you are unsure, it is best to check directly with each bank or financial institution involved. They will tell you what they need before releasing any money.
If probate is needed the executor applies for a grant of probate. Once granted, the executor has legal authority to manage the estate. That means collecting together money, property and possessions, paying any debts or taxes, and then distributing what remains to the beneficiaries.
In many cases this means clearing a home. For families this can be a daunting task. Homes often hold a lifetime of possessions. Some are valuable, some are sentimental, and some are simply part of everyday life. Sorting through them all while coping with grief is never easy.
We often meet families who feel unsure where to begin. Cupboards may be full of paperwork, lofts stacked with boxes, and wardrobes filled with clothes. Among these are often treasured photographs, certificates or legal documents that are essential for probate.
The work is not only emotional but also practical. Sometimes a house needs to be cleared quickly so it can be sold or returned to a landlord. Families often tell us they worry about missing something important or making the wrong decision about what to keep.
When arranging clearance, it is important to make sure whoever is handling it is licensed and compliant. You can find out why this matters in our blog on why waste carrier licences matter in house clearances.
This is where professional support makes a real difference. At Anglia House Clearance our probate clearance service is designed to take away the pressure while treating every item with care.
We will:
By handling the clearance with discretion we give you the peace of mind that nothing has been overlooked. You are free to focus on the personal decisions that only you can make.
Not everyone feels able to manage probate on their own. The paperwork can be complex, the time commitment demanding, and the emotional side difficult. There is no need to go through it alone.
We can take the process off your hands. We will deal with solicitors on your behalf, clear the property, and make sure everything is recorded and ready. Families often tell us they feel relieved once they know the practical side is being looked after.
If you are dealing with the death of a loved one and the thought of probate feels overwhelming, remember that support is available. Our team at Anglia House Clearance has the experience to manage the process with care and discretion.
You can reach us on 01603 531775 if you would like to talk through how we can help with probate clearance.