Admin & Legal

Admin is a chore at the best of times. When you're coping with grief and missing a loved one, it can add to the stress and sadness you'll be feeling. There are certain legal requirements that you'll need to fulfil however, so we've gathered all this information in one place to make these funeral admin jobs as simple as possible.
Admin & Legal
  2. Admin & Legal
How to Write a Letter of Wishes
If you’d like to clarify anything in your will, you might choose to write a letter of wishes. On this page, we explain what a letter of wishes is, and how to write a letter of wishes to accompany a will.   What is a letter of ...
Removing an Executor from a Will
It’s important to make the right choice of executor when you’re creating your will. But can an executor of a will be removed, if they’re no longer willing or able ...
How to Turn an Account into a Facebook Memorial Page
The internet has touched every aspect of life, and in a sense it also impacts what happens beyond life. Through sites like Facebook, we have a collection of the thoughts and ...
Joint Executors: What Happens When You Disagree?
It’s common to appoint more than one executor of a will. The people who have been appointed are jointly responsible for carrying out the
What Are Bloodline Wills?
Some legal or will-writing services offer ‘bloodline wills’. But what are bloodline wills, exactly? On this page, you’ll find bloodline wills explained. What is a bloodline will?
What Is a ‘Trust’ in a Will?
In discussion of wills, you’ll often hear talk of trusts. What is a will trust, though? We’re going to take a look at the basics of wills and trusts here.   What does ‘in trust’ mean in ...
How to Get Power of Attorney
If someone grants you power of attorney, you have the power to make certain decisions, such as financial and/or housing decisions, for that person. They are your donor, ...
How to Make a Funeral Wreath
In the time before a funeral, you might choose to make your own funeral wreath. This will take more time and effort than buying a premade wreath, but it will also be more personal and may well be less expensive. If ...
What Is Enduring Power of Attorney?
Before the lasting power of attorney system ...
What Is the Best Life Insurance Policy to Get?
If you have a partner or children who are dependent on you, you may want to get life insurance to ensure they’re provided for after you’re gone. With all the life insurance options out there, though, finding the ...
Writing a Will
Dying without a will can have tricky legal consequences. Fortunately, writing a will doesn’t have to be daunting, and there’s help available if you need it. ...
Find Your Nearest Probate Office
It can feel like there’s a lot to keep track of when applying for probate, but we’re here to make it simpler. This page will: explain ...
The Probate Forms You Need, and How to Fill Them Out
When someone dies, you may need to apply for the right to deal with their estate: their property, money and possessions. This is called applying for probate. Even if you’re named as an executor in the will, you’ll ...
Activating a Power of Attorney, Made Simple
The strange thing about making a lasting power of attorney with a loved one is that you make it hoping you won’t ever have to use it. If you're called upon to step up as an attorney, it can be scary and ...
Registering a Power of Attorney
So, you’ve painstakingly filled out your lasting power of attorney form. You’ve found
Signing a Power of Attorney, Step-By-Step
So, you’ve finished filling out the lasting power of attorney (LPA) form. Well done! Now there’s just the somewhat daunting task of getting all the right people to sign it (and in the right ...
Putting a House in a Trust in a Will
Everything you need to know about putting a house in trust in a will. After years of steep mortgage payments, costly renovations, strenuous DIY — and beautiful ...
What is Mental Capacity?
To make a will or a power of attorney, you must have ‘mental capacity’. But what does ‘mental capacity’ mean, and when might you not
Who Can Have Power of Attorney?
Before you fill out the power of attorney form, you need to give serious thought to who you’d like to give power of attorney to. Who do you trust to look after your best interests, when you’re not able to speak ...
When to Get a Power of Attorney
Whether you’re thinking about making your own power of attorney, or you’re wondering whether to nudge your parents, it’s easy to put things off. If all is well, can it wait?
Joint and Several or Joint Power of Attorney?
A lot of people decide to give more than one friend or family member power of attorney. It can lighten the load, add some extra accountability and prevent hurt feelings. But when it comes to filling out the form, ...
Who Can Be An LPA Certificate Provider?
To make a lasting power of attorney (or LPA), you need to find a certificate provider. Their signature on your LPA is essential, proving that you’ve made it of your own free will and with the full understanding of ...
How Long Does it Take to Get a Power of Attorney?
How long does it take to get a power of attorney set up? Not that long at all, in the scheme of things. But it’s natural to want yours in place ASAP. After all, it’s a vital ...
Who Can Witness a Power of Attorney Being Signed?
Making a power of attorney takes time and a good deal of thought. So, the last thing you want to do is fall down at the last hurdle: signing it in front of an appropriate witness. Here, we’ve created a quick guide ...
How Much Does a Power of Attorney Cost?
So, you’ve decided to make a power of attorney — well done! This simple document can save you and your family a huge amount of worry and work down the line. There’s just one thing left to consider: how much does a power of attorney ...
What is a Financial Power of Attorney?
Getting a financial power of attorney set up is one of those essential pieces of life admin. More than a ‘just in case’ measure, it ...
What is a Life Interest Trust Will?
If you'd like to make things easier for your family after you're gone, a will is essential. But it's not a 100% fool-proof way to pass on your estate. Care fees, remarriages, divorce and bankruptcy can all water down your legacy. So, what’s the ...
What is a Health Power of Attorney?
Most of us are vaguely aware of what a lasting power of attorney (LPA) does. It lets someone else make decisions for you when you’re not able to do it yourself. Fewer people ...
What is a Property Trust Will?
Most people know how important it is to make a will to protect their family. What they don’t know is that a simple will isn’t always enough. Between care fee assessments, debts, remarriages and inheritance tax, life can whittle away your legacy ...
Can an Executor Resign? Arranging The Renunciation of an Executor
Don’t want to act as the executor of a will? Worried that the executor of a family member’s will seems to be doing nothing? Here’s everything you need to know about organising the renunciation of an ...
Leaving Money to Charity in Your Will
What would you like your legacy to be? Leaving money to charity in your will is a fantastic way to make the world a better place after you’re gone. And it has some nifty benefits for your inheritance tax bill, too. If you’re thinking of ...
How to Find the Best Will Writing Service for You
So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and actually write your will: well done! That’s half the battle. Now to find the best will writing service for your needs. Here’s what you need to know…   What to look for in a ...
Storing Your Will Safely
So, you’ve finished your will. It’s printed, signed and 100% official. What do you do with it now? Here’s what you need to know about storing your will.   When deciding where to keep a will… ...You’ll want to think about ...
How to Change a Will
Thinking about changing your will? Don’t worry — it’s normal. Life changes pretty fast, and it’s natural that your will would need to as well. Grandkids, a new house, a marriage: all good reasons to amend your wishes ...
Who Should be the Executor of your Will?
The executor of your will has an incredibly important job. They’ll be the one to finally wrap up your affairs, sending your money, property and belongings to your heirs. So, your executor should be trustworthy and well-organised. But who should ...
Contesting a Will
A will is a very important document, often with far-reaching consequences. If it is unfair, or contains mistakes, it can be incredibly hard on the people left behind. But contesting a will can also be difficult: only in certain circumstances can a ...
Does Debt Die With You?
When you die, does your debt die with you? Between mortgages, credit cards and loans, a lot of us have at least a few debts when we die. Some more than others. But if someone close to you has died in serious debt, it can be scary: is that debt yours ...
Joint Tenants Vs Tenants in Common – After a Death
Do you own a property with a friend or partner? There’s more than one way to split ownership, and the option you’ve chosen will have a big impact on your will. So, let’s take a look at joint tenants vs. tenants ...
What is a Bequest in a Will?
Here at Beyond, we think it should be easy to make your will. So you won’t find much legal jargon on our online will ...
Can an Executor Change a Will After a Death?
Once the owner of a will dies, is the document set in stone, or can an
What Are the Inheritance Rights of Children and Grandchildren?
The inheritance rights of children - and grandchildren, stepchildren, and adopted children - depend quite a bit on the situation. Let’s take a look.   What are the inheritance rights of children if you make a will? In ...
What’s the Effect of Divorce on a Will?
If you’re getting divorced, your will is likely to be the last thing you want to think about. But this new change in your life will have a drastic impact on your will, transforming what would happen to your life’s savings if you died. So, what ...
Common Law Partners: Your Rights After a Death in the UK
There are more than 3.3 million unmarried couples living together in the UK - and that number is growing. But while these ‘common law’ partnerships are now pretty common, the law has yet to catch up. Especially when it comes to inheritance. The ...
What is a Grant of Representation?
If you’re settling someone’s estate after they’ve died, you might need a grant of representation to get things done. In fact, applying for a grant is one of the key steps in the probate process. But what is a grant of representation, and how ...
Making a Will? Here’s a Quick Checklist
Making a will is the best way to make sure your nearest and dearest will be taken care of after you die. But with so much to consider and so much legal jargon to get past, the task can seem pretty daunting, too. If you’re shuddering at the ...
How to Get a Copy of a Grant of Probate
Once the initial application for a grant of probate is complete, it’s actually really easy to get extra copies. Easy and useful: it helps to have three or four around to make the estate administration process go faster. Here, we’ll explain ...
What is a Grant of Probate?
After someone dies, there’s work to be done around settling their legal and financial affairs – paying off debts, transferring deeds, closing bank accounts and so on. This is the job of the executor of a will, and they’ll likely need a grant ...
What is Testamentary Capacity?
To make a valid will, you need to be able to fully understand what it is you’re doing and what the consequences will be. The legal term for this is ‘testamentary capacity’. Here, we’ll take a good look at how testamentary capacity works and ...
How to Make a Will at Home
A will is the only way to make sure that all your savings, property and assets will go to the right people when you die. And yet approximately 54% of Brits don’t have one. If you’re ready to write yours, but find solicitors’ fees daunting, ...
What is an Ordinary Power of Attorney?
Managing your own finances can feel impossible if you’re facing an extended stay in hospital or struggling to leave your home. If that’s you, an ordinary power of attorney (also known as a general power of attorney) might be that ...
Avoiding Care Home Fees is Harder Than You Might Think
The decision to move into a care home isn’t an easy one to make. It can be both emotional and stressful. And with the average care home charging £32,344 a year, it’s natural to worry about your finances as well. But if you’re thinking of ...
Choosing Beyond as an Executor
The executors of your will have a very serious task ahead of them. Settling an estate takes a great deal of organisation and expertise – not to mention tact. It can also be very stressful for grieving friends or family members. For this reason, ...
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
The idea that you might not be able to make decisions about yourself, by yourself, one day can be - frankly - daunting. But with a little forward planning, you can make sure that people you trust will be there to speak for you when the time comes. ...
What is a Power of Attorney?
Planning for the future means coming to terms with the fact that you might, one day, lose the ability to make key decisions by yourself. It’s a difficult thing to think about, but you can make it easier by preparing for it. One key way to do this ...
What is a Living Will and How Does it Work?
There may come a time in your life when you’re no longer able to communicate your wishes to the people responsible for your medical care. At that moment, it can be incredibly useful to have a living will (also known as an Advance Decision) in ...
What is a Deed of Variation?
Changing a will after a death doesn’t have to be a struggle. If all beneficiaries agree, a deed of variation (also known as an ‘instrument of variation’) can help you make the alterations you need to make without an epic legal battle. So, ...
What is a Codicil to a Will?
Thinking about changing your will? Well, you can always write a new one. But if the changes you’d like to make are small, then a codicil might be the answer. So, what is a codicil, and when can it be used? How do you go about adding a ...
Mirror Wills Explained
Are you and a partner thinking about making mirror wills? If so, there’s a lot to consider! Here’s what you need to know before taking the plunge. We’ll be covering: What is a mirror will?
The Intestacy Rules for Northern Ireland Explained
When someone dies ‘intestate’, it means that they died without a valid will – a pretty common problem in the UK, where more than half of all adults don’t have one. What happens to the estates of people who die without ...
Dying Intestate in Scotland: Scottish Inheritance Law Explained
Scottish inheritance law has a reputation for being devilishly complicated in cases where someone has died ‘intestate’ (that is, without a will). But the truth is that, while a little trickier than
Intestacy Rules for the UK Explained
Want to know who will inherit your estate if you die without making that all-important will? You’ve come to the right place. Here at Beyond, we've broken all the intestacy rules in the UK down into handy flowchart form. Just scroll down in you're ...
How to Get a Copy of a Will
If you think you might have been left a gift in someone’s will, it’s natural to want to have a peek at what that gift might be – especially if the executor of the estate isn’t exactly forthcoming. So, how do you go about getting a copy of a ...
What is a Legal Guardian? Appointing a Guardian in a Will
If you have children under the age of 18, it’s a really good idea to choose a legal guardian for them in your will. This guardian should be someone you trust to step in and look after your child properly if both you and their other parent die ...
Can an Executor of a Will be a Beneficiary, Too?
Can an executor of a will be a beneficiary, too? This is a pretty common question! If you’re making a will, you might be worried about disinheriting your ...
What Does ‘Residuary Estate’ Mean in a Will?
When you’re making a will, your ‘estate’ is essentially everything you own. Bank accounts, pensions, stocks, shares, property, insurance policies and ...
Who Can Witness a Will – And Who Can't
Once you’ve written your will, you’ll need to sign it in front of two witnesses to make it legally binding. ...
DIY Probate: What You Need to Know About Applying for Probate Yourself in the UK
Thinking of doing probate yourself? About a third of all executors do. After all, applying for a grant of probate without a solicitor or specialist can save you a lot of money. And taking charge of the job yourself may ...
How to Get a Death Certificate
Of all the paperwork you’re handed after a death, certified copies of the death certificate may well be the most useful – or at least, the most used. They can help you arrange the funeral, notify ...
How to Access or Close a Bank Account After a Death
Closing a bank account after a death can feel a bit daunting, but banks usually do their best to make the process as quick and as painless as possible. While every bank is slightly ...
How to Make a Will for Free
Making a will is the only way to make absolutely sure that your assets will go where you want them to after you die. But for many people, the £200-£600 you might need to pay a solicitor to make a will is more than they can afford. The answer? ...
What are Death Duties?
Death duties – or inheritance tax, as they're now known – have been a cause of curiosity and concern in the UK for over a century. But what are death duties, and how have they changed with the name? Here’s a short ...
What is the Inheritance Tax Threshold?
In 2017, there was a change in the law governing the UK inheritance tax threshold. Starting in the tax year 2018-2019, there will be an added tax-free allowance for homes being passed on to certain family ...
How to Get a Certificate of Confirmation in Scotland
After someone dies, the person who is responsible for settling their estate will often need to apply for the right to deal with it. The process is called “confirmation” in Scotland, named for the ...
What is a Letter of Administration?
When someone dies without a will, the task of sorting out what happens to their money, property and assets will usually fall to a close family member. This person is then known as the administrator of the ...
What is a Beneficiary of a Will?
Whether you’re writing your own will or settling someone else’s, you’re sure to hear the word ‘beneficiary’ at some point. But what is a beneficiary of a will, who can be one, and what exactly can you expect if ...
What is the Cost of Making a Will?
There’s no denying the peace of mind a will can bring – but when money is a concern, the cost of making a will can seem like a huge roadblock. It's one of the reasons why
What Happens After Probate is Granted?
What happens when probate has been granted, and how long can you expect to wait before the estate is distributed? Our guide is here to help. Need a hand?
What Does Next of Kin Mean?
What does “next of kin” mean, and who is yours, legally speaking? Let’s take a look.   What does next of kin mean? The term “next of kin” has traditionally been used to ...
Everything You Need to Know About Applying for Probate
After someone dies, their debts and taxes need to be paid, their bank accounts closed, and the estate will need to be transferred to their heirs. Applying for a grant of probate – a legal document proving your right to ...
How to Find a Will
How do you find a will after someone has died? Our simple guide is here to help. Find out where to look (and how to look) below. When someone dies, you might not always ...
What are the Duties of an Executor of a Will?
Need a hand with being the executor of a will? Call our expert estate administration team today at 0800 054 9896 for help and ...
Managing Inheritance Tax: Gifts & Exemptions Explained
Inheritance tax (or IHT) is due on any single person’s estate worth £325,000 or more, at a basic rate of 40%. If you’d like to manage how much of your estate goes on inheritance tax, gifts to family members, friends, charities and political ...
What is Inheritance Tax?
What is the current inheritance tax rate, and do you have to pay it? Part of our ongoing series on probate, this inheritance tax guide will tell you everything you've ever wanted to know about IHT. To find ...
How Much Does Probate Cost? Probate Fees Explained
Confused about the cost of probate? Part of our estate administration series, this guide to probate fees (both official and from solicitors) will break all the expenses down for you. Questions? Call us on ...
How Long Does Probate Take?
How long is probate, usually? Our simple guide to probate timings will explain everything. Questions? Call 0800 054 9896 to ...
When is Probate Required?
When do you need a grant of probate, and when can you administer the estate without it? Do you need probate if you have a will? Find out whether you need probate here – or call us on 
Doctors’ Fees, Cremation Forms & Certificates
Doctor’s fees only apply in the case of cremation. If the deceased is to be buried, there are usually no additional documents to obtain or fees to pay. This is due to the stricter guidelines and more rigorous medical checks involved in clearing a ...
What is Probate, and How Does it Work?
What does ‘probate’ mean, and what is the process like? Here you’ll find everything about probate explained simply. Questions? Give us a ring on 0800 054 9896 to speak ...
What is a Medical Certificate of Cause of Death?
The medical certificate of death, officially known as the Medical Certificate Cause of Death, records the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual. Primarily, it details the cause of death but also often includes other information, such ...
What Is a Coroner and What Do They Do?
Coroners are judicial officers, either solicitors or barristers, and/or qualified medical practitioners with at least five years’ experience. They are appointed by the local authority and can only be removed from office by the Lord ...
Registering a Death? Here's What To Do
When someone dies, one of the first practical things to take care of is to register the death. Once you have, you’ll be given the key paperwork you’ll need to arrange the funeral, notify government ...
How to Write a Last Will and Testament
Whether you want to think about it or not, writing a last will and testament is always a good idea as you get older. Although you may be in fine health, the unexpected is always just around the corner and it’s impossible to know what will happen ...
What to Do When Someone Dies Abroad
It’s distressing whenever someone dies, but it can become much more difficult when they die abroad and you don’t know the right people to speak to. Dealing with an unfamiliar system, often in an unfamiliar ...
Dying Without a Will in the UK - What Happens?
Dying without a will has plenty of unintended consequences, many of which can be tough on the family left behind. And yet, around 65% of Brits
What’s the Difference Between a Graveyard and a Cemetery?
Although the words 'graveyard' and 'cemetery' are often used interchangeably in everyday speech, traditionally speaking, graveyards are run by the church, and may be attached to a church or chapel. Graveyards would therefore usually stipulate that ...
How to Write a Death Notice
A death notice is a an announcement of a person’s death, published online or in a local newspaper. Written by family members, death notices often inform readers of the name, age and place of residence of the deceased, and where the funeral service ...
How to Claim Life Insurance After Someone Dies
To claim life insurance after a loved one dies, you need to start by finding the policy document. Then you can look into speaking with the life insurance company. Life insurance often forms a substantial part of the ...
What to Do with Your Loved One’s Possessions
After someone dies, you might be left with hundreds of possessions, acquired over the course of a lifetime. There may be photos, furniture, clothes, jewellery and general household items that all need clearing out. ...
Funeral Trade Associations: The NAFD and SAIF
Most people know very little about the funeral industry and it surprises many to learn that there are no regulations. There are a number of funeral trade associations of which funeral directors can be members. These ...