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Help and guidance for when someone dies. Losing a loved one can be a difficult and confusing time. Let us help you with money matters and someone to talk to should you need it.
When someone dies it can be hard to think of the practical things. So, we’ve created a step-by-step guide to read when you’re ready. It helps explain things you might need to do and answers some questions you may have.
As part of our wider group, we can introduce you to the Lloyds Bank Estate Administration Service. If you need support and guidance with any aspect of administering an estate such as applying for Grant of Probate and would like to find out more about our services, please contact us on 0800 056 0171 (or +44 1733 286 482 if calling from abroad). Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm. Calls may be monitored or recorded.
Our initial support and guidance is fee free and without obligation. If you think the service is right for you, we will explain our fees and charges to act as Executor or Administrator in an Estate. Fees and charges for our services are charged to the Estate.
A will lets you know the wishes of the person who has died. If you can’t find the will, contact a solicitor or accountant and they will be able to help you.
An executor of a will is the person named to carry out their wishes. There should be at least one executor and you should let them know what’s happened as soon as possible.
If there’s no will, an administrator needs to be chosen. You can find out more about what to do on the government website, as it can vary across the UK.
It’s important to tell providers when someone has died, so the right steps can be taken. We can help you with this if you need it.
You can use the Death Notification Service to let multiple banking providers know someone has died. It’s free to use. Tell Us Once will notify government organisations, such as HMRC.
Most providers will ask to see a copy of the death certificate and let you know what happens next.
If there’s money in their account, we can help you make a payment for the funeral bill and other expenses.
Money in their account can be used for:
Let us know if you would like us to help you with this.
If you’re coming into branch and are the next of kin, an executor of the will or the personal representative, please bring with you proof of your identity. You can choose from the list below.
If you bank with us, please bring your debit card or one form of ID with you. If you don’t have an account with us, please bring two forms of ID.
Use any of the following documents for proof of identity:
When you formally register someone’s death, you can show any one of these documents at your local register’s office:
If you’re the joint account holder, you can still access the account as normal. If anything changes, we’ll always let you know.
If the account is only in the deceased’s name, we’ll cancel all payments and send you a list, just in case you need to set any up again using a different account.
If the account is in joint names, we’ll keep all regular payments as they are. Please contact us or let us know if you want to stop any.
If a mortgage is in the deceased’s name only, we won't take any payments for three months after you've reported the death. However, interest will continue to be added to the mortgage, so you might want to arrange payments to avoid arrears.
If you wish to keep the property and continue paying the mortgage, talk to a mortgage adviser to discuss your options.
If the mortgage is held in joint names, the monthly payments will continue. If payments were made from an account belonging to the deceased, we might need some different payment details.
Find out more information on accounts and mortgages in our Bereavement guide (PDF, 2.85MB).
For guidance on what to do with their Share Dealing accounts follow the steps on our bereavement and investments page.
If a loan was in the deceased’s name only and there’s money in their other accounts, we’ll talk you through the repayment options when you get in touch.
If a loan is in joint names, the surviving account holder will need to continue with their monthly repayments.
If the loan is covered by insurance, we’ll let you know how to make a claim.
Additional cardholders named on accounts won’t be able to use their credit cards anymore.
If the deceased person owed money on any credit cards, there are some options available:
If neither of these options work for you, we’ll help you find another way.
When the credit cards are repaid, we’ll close the account.
Find out more information on loans and credit cards in our Bereavement guide (PDF, 2.85MB).
Assets
Belongings that have a financial value, including money, investments, property and their possessions.
Beneficiary
A person or an organisation who’s been left something in a will or trust.
Confirmation
In Scotland the probate is called confirmation.
Current valuation
A document which confirms the value of the remaining cash and/or stock held within the person’s account at the time of death.
Distribution of assets
This is the process of selling assets held within a share dealing account as instructed by the named executor of the account.
Estate
All of the person’s assets, usually detailed in their will.
Executor
The person, named in a will, who carries out the wishes of a person who’s died.
Grant of representation
A legal document that outlines who can deal with the estate left by the person who has died.
Grant of Probate
The legal court document that confirms the executors' authority to deal with an estate. If there’s a will, you’ll need to get a Grant of Probate from the Probate Registry.
If the estate is held in joint names and passes automatically to the surviving owner (as is often the case with married couples), you may not need to apply for probate.
Intestate
A term used when someone dies without leaving a will.
Letters of Administration
If there is no executor named in a will, then this lets a named person deal with the estate.
Liabilities
This covers any debt left when someone dies, and costs involved with settling an estate.
Personal representatives
The executors and administrators are called personal representatives as a group.
Probate
The process to get permission from the court to deal with the deceased person’s estate.
Trade
A deal to buy or sell an investment such as shares
Trust
This is when money or property is held for someone under restrictions, such as until they reach a certain age. A trust can also allow assets to pass to someone else before they die.
Will
A legal document drawn up and witnessed during the person’s lifetime that outlines who receives a share of any assets when they die.
Once we’ve received the relevant documentation, we will close the account. Any money held in the account will be transferred to the legal representative or executor. We will usually be in contact within 5 working days.
We will make funds available if the representative needs to pay probate fees, funeral expenses or inheritance tax. If anything else is needed, someone from our Bereavement team will be in touch.
Citizens Advice
Visit: citizensadvice.org.uk
Grief Encounter
Visit: griefencounter.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Call: 0808 808 1677
Visit: cruse.org.uk
Probate England and Wales
Call: 0300 303 0648
Visit: gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance
Probate Scotland
Call: 0131 334 0380
Visit: mygov.scot/confirmation/
The Bereavement Register
Call: 0207 089 6403
Visit: thebereavementregister.co.uk/
Help with what to do after someone dies
Visit: gov.uk/after-a-death
Information on reporting a death, wills, probate, or inheritance tax
Visit: gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/death
Tell us Once
Visit: What to do after someone dies: Tell Us Once - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Death Notification Service
As Halifax is part of Lloyds Banking Group, we can take care of it all if you are closing accounts with;
However, there are a few companies that you’ll still need to tell separately:
If you are looking after an investment account we can provide additional help and practical support on our investments page.
Investment bereavement support
Alternatively, please call us on 0800 015 0081 to speak to an advisor.
Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am–6pm
You can also use the free Death Notification Service to let other organisations know the account holder has passed away.
The government’s Tell Us Once service will contact relevant government services, including HMRC, for you.
We may ask you to provide further information to help move things along. If prompted, please complete our Bereavement Form (PDF 82 KB).
Calls may be monitored and/or recorded for quality evaluation, training and to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
Not all Telephone Banking services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.