Practical guidance from Simon Jenkins, Director at Curtis Legal.
Everything you need to know about a deceased Nationwide account, including the UK’s most generous funeral fund release of up to £8,000 same-day in-branch and Nationwide’s £50,000 probate threshold.
Read more →A complete guide to dealing with a deceased Bank of Scotland account under Scottish law, including Confirmation, the small-estate procedure, and how to release funds for funeral costs.
Read more →Halifax is the only major UK bank with 7-day bereavement phone support. This guide explains the £50,000 threshold, required documents, and when you need probate for a deceased Halifax account.
Read more →Santander’s £50,000 threshold and transparent bereavement policy make it one of the clearer banks to deal with after a death — this guide covers every step, including Cahoot accounts.
Read more →NatWest’s £25,000 probate threshold is half the limit set by most major UK banks — find out exactly what documents you need and when probate is required for a deceased NatWest account.
Read more →How long does probate take with a will? Most straightforward estates complete in 6-12 months. Complex estates take 2-3 years. Definitive 2026 timescales, stage by stage, with key deadlines.
Read more →What is probate? The legal process of administering an estate after death — collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to beneficiaries. Plain-English guide from Simon Jenkins.
Read more →Do you have to act as an executor if named in a will? No. You can accept, renounce, or reserve power. What each option means, what intermeddling is, and how to make the right decision.
Read more →How to apply for a Grant of Probate — which form to use, the £300 court fee, completing IHT400, signing the statement of truth, and what happens after submission. Full 2026 guide.
Read more →Where to store your will so your executors can find it after death. A will that cannot be found may as well not exist — 5 secure options, what each involves, and what to do if a will goes missing.
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