Every year, around 600,000 families across the UK experience a bereavement, with thousands of more additional lives tragically claimed this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Here at EJ Coombs we have an experienced Probate Department who can offer legal advice for Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Probate matters. If you require any assistance, please get in touch with our specialist Solicitor by calling our offices in Danbury and Billericay, Essex today.
There are now calls for the Government to introduce a new set of agreed standards for bereavement account closures, which service providers would need to meet, making it easier for Executors or family members to close accounts when someone dies.
Families are currently faced with making repeated calls, to numerous service providers, to close the accounts of those who have died. A ‘Bereavement Standard’ is proposed to help alleviate this trauma somewhat.
The Bereavement Standard would establish:
- An agreed timeframe for companies to respond to bereavement enquiries and settle outstanding customer balances.
- A bereavement customer care email channel for each company, to directly handle such cases and avoid customers waiting on calls.
- The standardisation of paperwork needed to close an account, with a view to accepting digital documents whenever possible.
It can be hard having the same conversation with multiple organisations following the death of a family member or friend. Implementing a Bereavement Standard will allow family members to deal with the administration at their own pace.
We have already experienced the benefits of the “Tell us Once” service, which can be used to close all Government accounts and more recently, the “Death Notification Service”, which informs most banks of a bereavement, at the same time.
We understand that the administration process can be unbearable for some during a time of grief. Our Wills and Probate Solicitor, Emma Blakesley, can ensure that the Estate is administered in accordance the relevant laws and help to guide you through the next steps you will need to take.
If you need any assistance or have any queries or concerns of your own, please do not hesitate to contact us.
