Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, funeral planning, Tell Us Once and probate — sorted in plain English with real UK costs, real helplines and real free routes. Most UK adults have none of these in place. The cost to fix that is often £0–£200.
Without a will, the UK government's intestacy rules decide who inherits — which often isn't who you'd choose. Unmarried partners get nothing under intestacy in England and Wales.
Will Aid runs every November — participating solicitors write a simple will for free in exchange for a suggested donation to charity (£100 single, £180 mirror wills). Free Wills Month runs in March and October for people aged 55+ — free wills via partner solicitors, no donation required.
Use a regulated UK online will service when your situation is simple (no business, no overseas assets, no complex blended family). Real options:
Use a solicitor if you have: children from a previous relationship, a business, property abroad, an estate over £325,000 (potential inheritance tax), or you want to protect assets from care fees. STEP-qualified solicitors specialise in this.
Find a STEP solicitor: step.org/public. Find a Law Society-regulated solicitor: solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk.
An LPA lets someone you trust make decisions for you if you lose capacity (stroke, dementia, serious illness). Without one, your family faces a 6–12 month Court of Protection process and frozen bank accounts.
Apply at gov.uk/power-of-attorney. The online tool guides you through it. Total cost for both: £164.
Register with the Office of the Public Guardian Scotland at publicguardian-scotland.gov.uk. £83 fee. Solicitor usually drafts (£100–£300 typical).
Register with the Office of Care and Protection at justice-ni.gov.uk. Solicitor-drafted, ~£100–£250.
Average UK funeral cost: £4,141 (SunLife Cost of Dying 2024). Direct cremation: £1,500–£2,500. Plan now and your family doesn't face the financial shock at the worst moment.
Since 29 July 2022, all UK pre-paid funeral plans must be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Only buy from an FCA-registered provider. Check the register at register.fca.org.uk.
Real FCA-regulated providers include: Co-op Funeralcare, Dignity, Golden Charter, Pure Cremation, Distinct Funeral Plans.
Direct cremation skips the ceremony — body collected, cremated, ashes returned to family. Costs £1,500–£2,500. Real providers: Pure Cremation, Distinct, Aura Flame. Family can hold a separate memorial later (any place, any time, free).
If you're responsible for a funeral and you (or partner) get UC, Income Support, JSA-IB, ESA-IB, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit (disability element) or Child Tax Credit — you may get help with: burial/cremation fees in full, plus up to £1,000 for other costs (coffin, hearse, flowers, fees).
Claim at gov.uk/funeral-payments. Apply within 6 months of the funeral.
Scottish equivalent paid by Social Security Scotland — £1,257.75 standard rate plus actual burial/cremation costs. Apply at mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment.
A simple checklist if you're handling the admin after losing someone. Free helplines that actually help: Cruse Bereavement 0808 808 1677 · Citizens Advice 0800 144 8848.
The doctor or hospital provides this. You need it to register the death.
Free. Book a slot at your local register office via gov.uk/register-a-death. Take the medical certificate, NHS card and ID if you have them. You get a Certificate for Burial or Cremation (the "green form") and can buy extra death certificates (~£12.50 each — get 5–10 copies, banks and insurers need originals).
At the same appointment, ask to use Tell Us Once. One free notification covers HMRC, DWP, Passport Office, DVLA, councils, electoral register and more. Saves hours of phone calls.
If you were married/civil-partnered to someone under State Pension age who paid 25 weeks of National Insurance — £3,500 lump (higher rate, with children) or £2,500 (no children) plus £350/month or £100/month for 18 months. Apply within 3 months for full amount. gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.
If they had a pre-paid plan, contact the provider first. If not, get 2–3 quotes from local funeral directors — costs vary by £1,000+ for the same service. The National Association of Funeral Directors (nafd.org.uk) is the main regulated body.
Check filing cabinets, safe deposit boxes, solicitor's office. The National Will Register (Certainty) is searchable. Probate needed if estate is over bank thresholds (varies, often £5k–£10k), includes property in deceased's sole name, or includes most investments. Apply at gov.uk/applying-for-probate — £273 fee for estates over £5k. Citizens Advice can help free.
A will or LPA that nobody can find is no use. Tell your executor where to look.
Track which documents you've made + which are still outstanding.
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