Preservation of Assets
When someone passes away, it is important to You may call, write to or email companies and
make sure that the relevant people, companies organisations to inform them of a death and
and organisations are informed. You will also most will require a copy of the death certificate
need to ensure that any assets of the deceased for their records.
are preserved until such time when they can be
collected, sold or distributed.
Some organisations offer assistance to make
the process as smooth and as straightforward
Informing the appropriate companies and as possible. For example, when you register the
organisations about the death of a friend or death, often the registrar will ask whether you
relative can be an emotional task at an extremely would like to use the ‘Tell Us Once’ service. This
difficult time. However, doing this as soon as is a service that allows you to report a death to
possible will help prevent any overpayments to most government organisations in one go and
or from the deceased into or out of any bank helps to prevent overpayments. The registrar
accounts; particularly any overpayments of will either complete this service for you at the
benefit from any government organisations. It time of your appointment, or will provide you
will also allow companies to put any accounts with a unique reference number to access this
on hold and will provide you with more time to service You can also access this service online
deal with assets and any liabilities in the long at:
run.
https://idp-death-tellusonce.direct.gov.uk/
Companies you might need to inform include:
Death/Enrich/BeforeYouStart
• Any government organisations (HMRC,
DWP, DVLA, Passport Office, local council)
• Banks, mortgage, pension or insurance
providers
Information you will need to assist you in
reporting the death includes:
• Date of birth
• Investment companies or share registrars • Date of death
• Utilities • Address
(gas,
electricity,
telephone,
broadband, water & sewage, TV licence)
• Any other companies who you think might
• Any relevant reference numbers
need to know (care companies, landlords, • Occupation
subscriptions or memberships, employers, • Marital status
health professionals)
16
• National Insurance number
The Society of Will Writers