Helpful terms and Useful contacts 

Helpful terms

Administrator
A person who obtains the Grant of Letters of Administration which entitles them to deal with the estate if no will was made.


Beneficiary
A person who inherits either under the terms of a will or by the rules of intestacy (if no will was made).


Confirmation
This is the Scottish equivalent to a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration.


Death Certificate
This is a certified copy of the entry in the death register. The registrar will provide you with a number of certified copies - you'll just need to pay a fee. This will help to save time if you need to register the death with several organisations.


Executor
The person named in a will who is to deal with the estate and, if necessary, obtain a Grant of Probate.


Grant of Letters of Administration
This is used to appoint an Administrator who can then deal with the estate if no will was made.


Grant of Probate
A formal court document issued by the Probate Service confirming the appointment of the Executor named in the will.


Grant of Representation
This is a term used to cover both Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration or Confirmations (in Scotland).


Letters of Administration
A formal court document issued by the Probate Service, to appoint an Administrator, often the next of kin to the deceased. This is usually issued where there is no will, or the Executor appointed in the will is unable or unwilling to act.


Personal Representative(s)
This is the term used for small estate claims when a statutory declaration or Small Estates Indemnity form is to be used.

Useful contacts

Citizens Advice Bureau
Find your local office in The Phone Book, or visit www.citizensadvice.org.uk


Cruse Bereavement Care
Call 0844 477 9400, or visit www.cruse.org.uk


General Register Office for England & Wales
Certificate Services Section General Register Office PO Box 2, Southport PR8 2JD. Call 0300 123 1837, or visit www.gro.gov.uk


General Register Office for Scotland
Ladywell House, Ladywell Road, Edinburgh EH12 7TF. Call 0131 334 0380, or visit nrscotland.gov.uk/


Government Advice on Bereavement
gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/death


Government Advice on Finding a Will
www.gov.uk/find-persons-will


HM Revenue & Customs
Look in The Phone Book for your local 'Tax Office', or www.hmrc.gov.uk


National Association of Funeral Directors
Call 0121 711 1343, or visit nafd.org.uk


Probate and Inheritance Tax helpline
Call 0300 123 1072, or visit www.justice.gov.uk/courts/probate


Royal Mail Re-Direction
royalmail.com/personal/receiving-mail/redirection


The Bereavement Register
Call 0207 089 6403, or visit www.thebereavementregister.org.uk