How to Administer a Relatives Estate

32. 4. ARRANGING STEP AND SFE THE FUNERAL
KEY POINT:
AFTER
INTRODUCTION
REGISTERING THE DEATH YOU THEN NEED TO ARRANGE THE FUNERAL
We are proud members of the following organisations:
ACTION:
Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP)
USE AN Solicitors UNDERTAKER for the WHO Elderly IS (SFE). REGISTERED WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FUNERAL
DIRECTORS
WHAT IS THE SOCIETY OF ESTATE AND TRUST PRACTITIONERS - STEP?
STEP stands for Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. STEP is a global professional
4.1 association HAVE THE for DEATH legal, CERTIFICATE accountancy, AND financial DISPOSAL and other CERTIFICATE trust and READY estate practitioners. STEP’s aim
Make is to help sure to you improve have obtained the public’s the understanding Death Certificate of the and issues Disposal that Certificate families may from face the in Registrar the area of
Births family Deaths inheritance and Marriages and succession before planning. trying to organise In order the to funeral. become a member then it is usually
necessary to pass a series of quite challenging examinations. All members are subject to an
4.1 extensive CHECK Code THE WILL of Professional Conduct, requiring them at all times to act with integrity and in a
The manner deceased’s that inspires Will needs the confidence, to be checked respect to see and if there trust are of their any special clients instructions and of the for wider the
funeral. community. Members are also required to keep up to date with the latest legal, technical and
regulatory developments.
4.2 PREPAID FUNERAL PLANS
Check WHAT IS the SOLICITORS deceased's FOR paperwork THE ELDERLY to see - SFE? if there are any papers that indicate whether the
deceased The Solicitors may have for the prepaid Elderly their (SFE) funeral. is a national organisation of solicitors, barristers and legal
executives who are committed to providing high-quality legal services for older people, their
families 4.3 CHOOSE and AN their UNDERTAKER
carers. In order to join as an associate member, it requires a number of years’
experience Find a local independent advising older undertaker people and to an organise examination. the funeral. They must also comply with our Code of
Practice, so you can be confident about the services you receive. All SFE Full Accredited
Members 4.4 WHAT are DECISIONS specialists HAVE in the TO BE field MADE of older ABOUT client THE law. FUNERAL Not only have they gained significant
experience Do you want in this the field, body but to be they buried have or also cremated; undergone a unique qualification which focusses on
additional Where the skills funeral to enable should them start to from work and with when older it and is to vulnerable take place; people. They are also required
to tailor Whether their there services should specifically be a religious for their service clients. – where Look it out should for the be SFE held, stamp who should of approval. conduct it;
Whether you want flowers (and what happens to them after the service) or a charity
WHAT donation; WE AT SEATONS DO?
We Whether at Seatons are place members an announcement of STEP and of SFE. the death We are in known a national as the or local “Friendly newspaper; Professionals”. We
always If cremated, draft Wills what and should trusts, happen administer to the estates, deceased’s act as ashes; trustees and advise families on how the
best Whether way to structure you wish for their a memorial finances to plaque ensure to compliance be placed anywhere; and preserve their assets.
Your chosen funeral director will help and advise you about the formalities and any problems.
4.5 RESPONSIBILITY FOR PAYMENT OF UNDERTAKERS FEES
If you arrange the funeral you must pay for it although you can reclaim the costs from the
deceased’s estate. If there are insufficient assets in the deceased’s estate then an application can
be made to the Department for Work and Pensions.
4.6 PAYMENT OF UNDERTAKERS FEES
Often it is possible to contact the bank or building society and present them with the undertakers
invoice and the bank or building society will arrange to issue a cheque payable to the undertakers
to pay the undertakers’ invoice. Also, if you instruct solicitors to deal with the administration of
the estate, then they will sometimes arrange to pay the invoice as soon as some funds become
available.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Need a Grant of Probate?
Need Help Administering An Estate?
35 7
Contact Seatons Now
Need Call a Grant us today! of Probate? – 0800 310 Need 11 12
Help Administering An Estate?
Call: 0800 310 11 12
1 Alexandra Road Corby, Contact Northamptonshire, Seatons Now. Call: NN17 0800 1PE
310 11 12
Email: adrian@seatons.co.uk
www.seatons.co.uk
6 Market Street, Email: Kettering, adrian@seatons.co.uk Northamptonshire, NN16 www.seatons.co.uk
0AH
Copyright: Seatons Law Limited
www.seatons.co.uk
© Seatons Law Limited