A Letter of Administration acts as your official authority, giving banks, council departments, and land registries the legal green light to deal with you as the administrator. Once the court sends out the grant, your job turns from applying for legal paperwork to wrapping up the estate. So, what happens after the Letter of Administration is granted?
If you still need to apply, our Letter of Administration service can guide you through the process from start to finish.
Gathering The Estate Assets
Your immediate priority is to send certified copies of the grant to every institution holding the deceased person’s funds. That includes banks, building societies, pension companies, and investment platforms.
Once they inspect the document, these companies will close the accounts and release the funds. It is best to set up an executor bank account to keep this money separate from your own personal finances. If a house or flat is involved, having the grant means you can now put the property on the market or transfer the title. The official GOV.UK website provides further guidance on the steps to take after probate or Letters of Administration have been granted.
Clearing Bills, Taxes, and Debts
Before handing over money to the family, all outstanding accounts need to be cleared. That means paying off debts.
Such as:
- Credit cards
- Utility bills
- Personal loans
- Remaining funeral costs with estate funds
You’ll have to check if there’s any Income Tax left to pay up to the date they passed away. And make sure HMRC is happy with the final Inheritance Tax figures. For more information, see the official HMRC Inheritance Tax guidance on GOV.UK.
Dividing Up What’s Left
Without a will in place, you have to follow the legal rules of intestacy. These lay out a strict order of inheritance based solely on bloodlines and marital status, leaving no room for guesswork. Once every bill, fee, and tax demand has been sorted, you can figure out what each person is owed and transfer their share. Our Intestacy chart explains who is entitled to inherit and how estates are distributed when there is no valid will.
Contact Letter of Administration for professional will and probate advice on 020 3985 9555.
