Thinking and talking about death can feel uncomfortable, even morbid. Acknowledging our own death creates a full stop where there has previously been a comma. It forces us to accept that the tomorrows will run out. However, along with taxes, death is life’s only certainty; a small amount of thoughtful organisation now can spare your family a huge amount of stress at a time when they will already feel grief, shock and uncertainty.
A common motivation among my clients is not to be a burden on anyone in later life, and this extends to death as well. When someone dies, even straightforward estates can feel overwhelming. The prospect of having to find out what has been left behind, where to start looking and who to inform adds unnecessary complexity and worry for grieving loved ones.
You cannot remove the sadness, but you can remove much of the unnecessary hassle. Here is the practical admin that will make the greatest difference.
Make sure your will is up to date
A valid, up to date will sits at the centre of good planning.
If you do not have a will, the law decides who inherits your estate under the rules of intestacy. That outcome may not reflect your wishes, particularly in blended families. It can also delay the administration of your estate and increase legal costs.
If you already have a will, review it periodically. Life changes. You may have retired, become grandparents, divorced and remarried, or seen your financial position shift significantly. An outdated will can create confusion or even conflict.
Check that:
- Your executors are still willing and able to act
- The beneficiaries and amounts still reflect your wishes
- You have considered inheritance tax planning
- You have included any specific gifts or charitable legacies you care about
Let your executors know where the original will is stored. If they cannot find it, they cannot act on it.
Organise your financial information in one place
One of the most common sources of stress for families is simply not knowing what exists.
Your partner may not know about an old pension, a small investment account, or a life policy taken out decades ago. Adult children probably have even less knowledge of your financial affairs, but are most likely to be the ones having to sort it out.
Create a clear, up to date summary of:
- Bank and building society accounts
- ISAs and investment accounts
- Workplace and private pensions
- State Pension details
- Life assurance policies
- Premium Bonds
- Property you own, including buy to let
- Debts, loans or credit cards
You do not need to list every transaction. A simple overview will do, including account providers and reference numbers. Store this document securely and tell your executors how to access it.
Some people keep a physical folder. Others use a secure digital vault. The format matters less than clarity and accessibility. You could even use this free download to record everything.
Check your pension nominations
Pension benefits are separate to wills. Defined benefit pensions (old employer ones) should pay a percentage of your income to your dependent (normally your spouse or legal partner), private pension providers pay benefits based on the nomination or expression of wish form you completed. If neither are aware of your dependents or wishes there will be delays in them making payments, if they do at all.
Even if you filled one in, it may no longer reflect your circumstances. Divorce, remarriage or estranged relationships can all create unintended outcomes.
Contact your pension providers and confirm:
- Who you have nominated
- The percentage allocation between beneficiaries
- Whether your contact details are up to date
This small administrative step can prevent significant delay and distress. Pension death benefits often provide essential income for a surviving spouse. You want them paid smoothly and quickly.
Put lasting powers of attorney in place
Death planning should sit alongside planning for loss of capacity.
A lasting power of attorney allows someone you trust to make decisions if you cannot. There are two types, one for property and financial affairs, and one for health and welfare.
Without these documents, your family may need to apply to the Court of Protection. That process takes time, costs money and creates stress at an already difficult stage of life.
Putting powers of attorney in place while you are healthy gives you control. You choose who acts for you and you set the parameters, otherwise your family may be unable to make important decisions on your behalf.
Talk openly with the people you appoint. Make sure they understand your wishes and values and are willing to undertake the role.
Simplify where possible
Complexity creates work for those left behind.
Over time, many couples accumulate multiple bank accounts, scattered investments and old policies. Some of these no longer serve a purpose.
Consider whether you can consolidate:
- Old pensions into one or two suitable arrangements
- Small investment accounts
- Dormant bank accounts
Fewer accounts mean fewer forms, fewer phone calls and fewer institutions to notify.
You should always take financial advice before transferring pensions or investments. Often, less is more but you don’t want to lose benefits my transferring old pensions that won’t be replicated in a new one.
Keep a record of digital assets and passwords
Like it or loathe it, modern life exists online. Bank statements arrive by email. Photos live in cloud storage. Utility accounts operate through apps. If no one else can access these accounts, your family may struggle to access them, even if they know about them.
A notebook of passwords and account details or an unprotected document on your computer creates security risks. Instead, consider using a reputable password manager and leave clear instructions on how your executors can access it.
List key digital assets such as:
- Email accounts
- Online banking
- Investment platforms
- Social media
- Subscription services
This step often gets overlooked, yet it can save hours of frustration.
Write a letter of wishes
A will covers legal and financial matters. A letter of wishes allows you to speak more personally.
You might include:
- Guidance to your executors
- Explanations behind certain decisions
- Messages to children or grandchildren
- Thoughts about family heirlooms
You can also record practical preferences, such as funeral wishes. While this document is not legally binding, it can provide reassurance and reduce family disagreements.
Keep it with your will and review it periodically.
Clarify funeral preferences
Funerals often need to be arranged quickly. In the midst of grief, families worry about getting it right.
If you have strong views about burial or cremation, religious or non religious services, music or readings, write them down. If you have a prepaid funeral plan, ensure your family knows where the documents are.
This guidance removes guesswork. It allows your loved ones to focus on remembering you rather than debating details.
Consider inheritance tax and liquidity
For couples with property and investments, inheritance tax can create pressure. HMRC isn’t a warm, fuzzy institution that cares about your grief, it wants tax it is owed. Executors are due to pay it by the end of the six month after the person has died; interest is paid after that. Even when tax is due, families sometimes struggle because most of the estate sits in property rather than cash making the release of funds that much more prolonged, especially during a slow housing market.
Review your position. In the 2025 to 2026 tax year, the nil rate band (£325,000 per person) and residence nil rate band (up to a further £175,000 per person for homes) still apply, subject to thresholds and tapering for larger estates. Rules can change, so check current allowances when reviewing your plans.
Think about whether your estate will have sufficient accessible funds to pay any tax due. Life assurance written in trust can sometimes help provide liquidity and cover the IHT bill, though it needs careful consideration.
Probate isn’t granted until IHT has been paid, so addressing this now can prevent a forced sale or urgent borrowing later. Reviewing HMRC’s IHT400 form will help you understand what information is required. The IHT403 form is used to document lifetime gifts made and assets transferred, using it as a running record will save your executors a lot of time.
Talk to each other
Admin is not just paperwork. It is communication.
Many couples divide responsibilities, one manages investments, the other handles household bills. That works well until one person dies and the survivor feels lost.
Set aside time to walk through your finances together. Explain how income arrives, how bills get paid and who your advisers are. Keep contact details for your solicitor and financial planner in an obvious place.
These conversations may feel awkward at first. They become empowering very quickly. You may choose to include your children too.
A final gift
During your lifetime you would have supported your loved ones financially and emotionally, Protecting them from avoidable stress will be just as valuable. Taking a bit of time now to tidy up your affairs will save a lot of time for those you leave behind.
Do it now before you run out of tomorrows!
