What is the process of estate management?

This list is not exhaustive but aims to provide an overview of the process:

1. Registering the death and obtaining Death Certificate(s);
2. Arranging the funeral and paying the ill;
3. Completing the Tell Us Once Notification to notify government departments (such as DWP, DVLA and HMRC);
4. Notifying organisations and companies that hold money or are owed money by the person who has died;
5. Obtaining values of all assets and debts and ascertaining whether a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration is needed;
6. If inheritance tax is payable, completing and submitting the full IHT account to HMRC and paying the inheritance tax due;
7. Applying for Probate or Letters of Administration;
8. Calling in all assets and settling liabilities;
9. Drafting the estate accounts;
10. Paying the beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy provisions.

Within this process the Executor/Personal Representative will also need to deal with potential complexities such as ascertaining whether or not the estate is solvent, checking that the Will they have is valid and that it is the last Will, issues with liquidity of assets to pay the inheritance tax bill, and publishing notices to protect themselves once the estate has been distributed to beneficiaries.