Where to start?

If there is a Will, your executors administer the estate and we act on their instructions.  If there is no Will, we will advise on the persons (called administrators) who should administer your estate, and who will inherit.  In this context, "executor” is used in all cases unless the distinction is important.

In order to administer your estate the executor needs to obtain a Grant of Representation to confirm their authority to act ("the Grant”).  The Grant of Representation is obtained from the local Probate Registry Office (part of the High Court of Justice) - see Preparing the Probate and Tax Papers

It is necessary to identify and collect all of the deceased's papers in order to ascertain the information required to administer the estate.  Full details and supporting evidence of the assets and liabilities will need to be obtained, as well as full details, including addresses and references, of the deceased's professional advisers.  Once we have all the papers and necessary information we will notify the appropriate authorities of the death, e.g. bank, building societies, Department of Work and Pensions, and we will verify the extent and value of the assets and liabilities, obtaining valuations where necessary.