If you have recently lost someone close to you or know someone who has recently been bereaved, there are a few things you should do right away, as well as several state and voluntary services that can help you. The following are the first steps to take once someone passes away:
Will of the deceased
It's critical to find the deceased's final original will as soon as possible so that proper funeral preparations may be made and beneficiaries are aware of any specific terms that may take effect for tax purposes from the day of death. It is generally not advisable to reveal the contents of wills until it has been admitted to probate.
Ireland, unlike most other European countries, does not have a central wills registry. If a friend or family member is looking for a deceased person's will, they will need to contact a local solicitor and, if necessary, place notices in local newspapers and the law society gazettes.
Obtain a death certificate
It is important to prove the person's death in order to get a grant of probate. This may seem self-evident, but the Probate Office does not wish to provide a grant of probate of an estate to someone who is not yet dead.
Make an appointment with a solicitor
It is now up to the executor to determine whether they will hire a solicitor to assist them in administering the estate and proving the will, or if they will do everything themselves. This will be determined by a variety of circumstances, including the size of the estate. A solicitor can help you fill out the necessary paperwork and advise you on:
- The law of succession
- Taxes that beneficiaries may be required to pay
- Debts that could be paid out of the estate
- The will of the deceased might be used to settle conflicts.
- Identifying the deceased person's possessions
Make sure the house is insured
If you die with an outstanding mortgage on your house, your mortgage will be paid off, and the property will be passed on to those who are next in line to receive your estate. This provides you with a sense of security. The negative is that the coverage decreases as your mortgage grows. So, even if you have insurance for your entire mortgage at first, your coverage will be drastically reduced 20 years later. Furthermore, if you move house after ten years and are ten years older at the time, a new policy may be more expensive.