When are letters of administration needed?

Letters of administration are required when a loved one dies intestate. They allow the administrator the same rights as an executor who is probating a will.

This means that once the letters of administration are granted, the administrator will be given letters to deliver to each financial institution where the decedent has accounts. These letters will allow the administrator to access the finances of his loved ones.

Letters of administration are necessary in most cases where a loved one dies intestate, but not all. For example, if all of your loved ones’ finances are held in joint accounts with you, you won’t need to request letters of administration. The bank will normally only require proof of death to transfer the assets to your name.

Also, if your loved one has assets of less than £5,000 after funeral expenses, you will be able to access their bank accounts without letters of administration. Some banks allow assets of less than £10,000.

Since there is no executor, when a will has not been made, it is important to understand who has the right to request the letters. The law states that this will be decided in the following order, based on surviving relatives:

• Civil Partner or Spouse – excluding Domestic Partner

• Kids

• Sons or Daughters of the Children of the Deceased

• Parents, brothers and sisters

• Grandparents

• Aunts or uncles, but not their spouses

It is important to note that children under the age of 18 do not have the right to apply for letters of administration alone, and if there are children under the age of 18 and there is no civil partner or spouse, it is important to seek legal advice from an attorney. or a specialized inheritance service.

What happens if the legal administrator does not want to deal with the estate?

At a time when they are grieving, it is understandable that the person legally authorized to manage the estate finds it difficult to cope. Fortunately they don’t have to at all. Even the initial request for letters can be dealt with by an elected representative.

Dealing with a relative’s estate can be difficult, especially if they have died intestate. And intestate death often means tracing the finances of the deceased and even those who are entitled to a portion of the estate.

Therefore, it is advisable to appoint a legal expert to deal with the administration of the will before requesting the letters. A legal expert would normally be a lawyer or a specialized probate service. They will do everything on your behalf, including handling the initial application, finding the decedent’s assets, tracking money owed to them, and paying bills.

They will also be able to locate the whereabouts of those who are entitled to a part of the inheritance, according to the law, calculate the taxes owed and distribute the proceeds of the inheritance.

Therefore, using a specialized probate service can save you a great deal of time, trouble and stress, and it may be worthwhile to appoint one to apply for letters of administration on your behalf and deal with the administration of your loved ones’ estate. darlings.