What is "Tell Us Once" and how does it work?

Free Government service notifying multiple departments of a death at once. Register death at local registry office; registrar provides Tell Us Once reference. Use to notify: HMRC, DWP, DVLA, Passport Office, Local Council, Veterans UK. Cuts paperwork from 20+ individual notifications to 1 online session at gov.uk/tell-us-once.

Required for: estates above £5,000-£50,000 (varies by bank), property in deceased's name, multiple bank accounts, investments. Not needed for: very small estates, jointly-held assets passing by survivorship, certain pensions paid direct to beneficiary. Grant of Probate (with will) or Letters of Administration (without will). Apply at gov.uk/applying-for-probate.

What is the Inheritance Tax process?

IHT due within 6 months of end-of-month of death. Estate values calculated as at date of death. NRB £325,000 + RNRB £175,000 per person (£1M combined for married couples with both allowances available). Above thresholds: 40% IHT (36% if 10%+ to charity). Forms IHT400 (full) or IHT205 (simplified small estate). HMRC contact: 0300 123 1072.

How do pension death benefits work?

Depends on scheme + age at death. DC pension death before age 75: paid lump sum tax-free up to Lump Sum Death Benefit Allowance £1,073,100. Above LSDBA + post-75: recipient taxed at marginal rate. DB scheme: typically lump sum + spouse pension to nominated beneficiary. From April 2027: DC pensions enter IHT estate (Autumn Budget 2024 announcement). Check nomination is up to date.

What is Bereavement Support Payment?

DWP benefit for working-age survivors when spouse/civil partner dies. Lump sum + monthly payments for 18 months. Standard rate (no dependent children): £2,500 lump + £100/month × 18 months. Higher rate (pregnant or with dependent children): £3,500 lump + £350/month × 18 months. Source: gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/what-youll-get. Eligibility: spouse paid NI 25+ weeks in 8 years before death OR died from industrial cause. Apply gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.

What happens to a joint mortgage on death?

Joint tenants: surviving partner takes full ownership automatically. Mortgage continues with surviving partner liable. Life insurance/mortgage protection payout (if any) typically pays off mortgage. Tenants in common: deceased's share goes per will; mortgage may need to be refinanced. Notify mortgage lender immediately - they pause activity pending resolution.

How long does the financial process take?

Simple estates with will + life insurance + 1-2 bank accounts: 3-6 months. Average UK estate: 6-12 months. Complex estates (property, multiple assets, business interests, IHT due): 12-24 months. Funeral expenses can usually be reimbursed from estate within days via direct bank request. Bulk asset distribution waits for probate.

Can I access deceased's accounts before probate?

Limited access. Banks usually release: funds to pay funeral directly (under £5,000), small amounts to cover immediate living expenses for joint account holder, small accounts (under bank threshold typically £5k-£50k) without probate. Above threshold: must wait for Grant of Probate. Building up paper trail of expenses claimed back later.

What about deceased's tax position?

Final Self Assessment for tax year of death required. HMRC produces P50/P53 for pension lump sums. Trustees/executors responsible for filing. IHT separate process. Income earned by estate after death = "Estate Income Tax" - different return (R185). Get professional help for substantial estate - typical fees £1,500-£5,000 for full estate tax administration.

Practical guide

UK Bereavement Financial Process 2026/27

Step-by-step financial process after bereavement in UK - Tell Us Once, probate, IHT, pension death benefits, life insurance, Bereavement Support Payment.

The first 30 days

Register death (within 5 days England/Wales)
Get certified copies of death certificate (5-10 typical)
Use Tell Us Once at gov.uk/tell-us-once
Notify employer + any private pension provider
Locate will + executors
Contact funeral director - direct bank can pay funeral expenses
Apply for Bereavement Support Payment if eligible
Cancel benefits + State Pension via Tell Us Once

The 30-180 days

Apply for probate if required
Notify banks + close/transfer accounts
Claim life insurance + pension death benefits
Value estate for IHT purposes
File IHT400/IHT205 within 6 months
Sell property if required + pay outstanding bills
Distribute assets per will
File deceased\'s final Self Assessment

Key contacts

HMRC Bereavement Service: 0300 200 3300
HMRC IHT Office: 0300 123 1072
DWP Bereavement Service: 0800 731 0469
Tell Us Once: via local registrar
Probate Registry: gov.uk/applying-for-probate

Pension death benefits decision

If you\'re a beneficiary of pension death benefits, decisions affect tax:

Lump sum: pre-75 typically tax-free; post-75 taxed at marginal rate
Drawdown: convert to your own pension drawdown account
Annuity: convert to lifetime guaranteed income

From April 2027: DC pensions enter IHT estate (Autumn Budget 2024). Major change affecting estate planning + nomination strategies.

Frequently asked questions

What is "Tell Us Once" and how does it work?
Free Government service notifying multiple departments of a death at once. Register death at local registry office; registrar provides Tell Us Once reference. Use to notify: HMRC, DWP, DVLA, Passport Office, Local Council, Veterans UK. Cuts paperwork from 20+ individual notifications to 1 online session at gov.uk/tell-us-once.
Do I need probate?
Required for: estates above £5,000-£50,000 (varies by bank), property in deceased's name, multiple bank accounts, investments. Not needed for: very small estates, jointly-held assets passing by survivorship, certain pensions paid direct to beneficiary. Grant of Probate (with will) or Letters of Administration (without will). Apply at gov.uk/applying-for-probate.
What is the Inheritance Tax process?
IHT due within 6 months of end-of-month of death. Estate values calculated as at date of death. NRB £325,000 + RNRB £175,000 per person (£1M combined for married couples with both allowances available). Above thresholds: 40% IHT (36% if 10%+ to charity). Forms IHT400 (full) or IHT205 (simplified small estate). HMRC contact: 0300 123 1072.
How do pension death benefits work?
Depends on scheme + age at death. DC pension death before age 75: paid lump sum tax-free up to Lump Sum Death Benefit Allowance £1,073,100. Above LSDBA + post-75: recipient taxed at marginal rate. DB scheme: typically lump sum + spouse pension to nominated beneficiary. From April 2027: DC pensions enter IHT estate (Autumn Budget 2024 announcement). Check nomination is up to date.
What is Bereavement Support Payment?
DWP benefit for working-age survivors when spouse/civil partner dies. Lump sum + monthly payments for 18 months. Standard rate (no dependent children): £2,500 lump + £100/month × 18 months. Higher rate (pregnant or with dependent children): £3,500 lump + £350/month × 18 months. Source: gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/what-youll-get. Eligibility: spouse paid NI 25+ weeks in 8 years before death OR died from industrial cause. Apply gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.
What happens to a joint mortgage on death?
Joint tenants: surviving partner takes full ownership automatically. Mortgage continues with surviving partner liable. Life insurance/mortgage protection payout (if any) typically pays off mortgage. Tenants in common: deceased's share goes per will; mortgage may need to be refinanced. Notify mortgage lender immediately - they pause activity pending resolution.
How long does the financial process take?
Simple estates with will + life insurance + 1-2 bank accounts: 3-6 months. Average UK estate: 6-12 months. Complex estates (property, multiple assets, business interests, IHT due): 12-24 months. Funeral expenses can usually be reimbursed from estate within days via direct bank request. Bulk asset distribution waits for probate.
Can I access deceased's accounts before probate?
Limited access. Banks usually release: funds to pay funeral directly (under £5,000), small amounts to cover immediate living expenses for joint account holder, small accounts (under bank threshold typically £5k-£50k) without probate. Above threshold: must wait for Grant of Probate. Building up paper trail of expenses claimed back later.
What about deceased's tax position?
Final Self Assessment for tax year of death required. HMRC produces P50/P53 for pension lump sums. Trustees/executors responsible for filing. IHT separate process. Income earned by estate after death = "Estate Income Tax" - different return (R185). Get professional help for substantial estate - typical fees £1,500-£5,000 for full estate tax administration.