Bereavement Guide Here to Support You When You Need It

Bereavement Guide Here to support you when you need it

www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-oneleedsbuildingsociety.co.uk savingsBEREVME A E NT 32

Coping with the loss of a loved one isn’t easy - especially if you need to Mainmake lotshead of infinancial a style decisions like this and Effra 22ptarrangements on 95% too.leading. But we’re here to help you as much as we can.

What help is available? Contents

Paying for funeral costs or Talk to us 3 settling other expenses What we need 5 Who to tell and useful contacts Who should you tell? 11 Amending Leeds Building Society savings or mortgage accounts Managing the estate 13 Transferring funds Thinking about between accounts your financial future 15 Help with financial queries Practical information and advice 17 Help managing the estate Understanding key terms 18 including getting probate

Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* or or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk

*We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. BEREVME A E NT 54

Talk to us

What to do first

1. Get in touch 2. Register the death 3. Find out if a Will has been made

The Death Notification Service is an Legally the death needs to be It’s important to find the last known external online service that allows registered within five days in England, Will as soon as possible, as it could you to notify us when someone dies. Wales and Northern Ireland, and help you understand what to do within eight days in Scotland, unless next. It may include funeral wishes, By using this free service, you can let the Coroner is investigating. You’ll such as the type of funeral the us know about any accounts they held need to register the death at a deceased wanted, and if they’d made with us - as well as those with any registration office, but you might any arrangements to pay for it, for other banks or building societies. So need to book an appointment to example with a pre-paid funeral you can do everything in one place. do so – check your local council’s plan. A valid Will will also name one website for details. Although there or more people as an executor, You can access the Death are many registration offices in who’ll be responsible for carrying Notification Service at www. the UK, if you register the death in out any wishes detailed in the Will deathnotificationservice.co.uk the district where the person died, and dealing with the estate. If you’re It’s really quick and easy and you you’ll receive the death certificate having trouble finding the Will, visit don’t need a death certificate. sooner. If you register it in another www.gov.uk/find-persons-will for district, the documentation will more information. If there’s no Will If you prefer you can contact us be sent to the office in the district in place, please see the ‘Will I need over the phone by calling 03450 where the person died, so it may Probate?’ section on page 14. 50 50 75* or visit us in branch. take a few more days to arrive.

To find your nearest branch visit Tip - it’s worth asking for multiple www.leedsbuildingsociety. certificates so you can send these co.uk/branch to any organisation who will need to be informed. This may also be a cheaper option than having to pay for certified copies. Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. BEREVME A E NT 76

What we need

When you notify us (should this Certified copy Please note: some organisations Take them the original be over the phone or in branch) may have different requirements document and a photocopy You’ll probably be asked to provide we’ll need to see a copy of the for who they will accept certified either an original or ‘certified Ask them to check that death certificate, and the Will documentation from. At Leeds copies’ of documents to various they’re the same and then if one was made. If you’d like to Building Society, we’ll certify any organisations. A ‘certified copy’ is a include the following on the cover the costs of the funeral documents we may need at any copy of a document which has been first page of the photocopy: and other associated expenses branch, free of charge. If you’re asking confirmed as the same as the original using funds from the deceased’s any of the people listed, there may be - Their full name and occupation by a recognised professional and account(s), we’ll also need to see a charge and the process is as follows: - Business address and they may make a small charge for the invoices or proof of payment. phone number this service. Certifying copies can be done by one of the following: - Signature and the date - The statement ‘I confirm I a Chartered & Certified have seen the original Accountant document and this copy is a Bank/Building Society Manager an accurate, unaltered and Post Office staff (certification unedited replica of the service only) original.’ Commissioners for Oaths - Their official stamp General Practitioner/Doctor All other pages in the document Independent Financial Advisers can just be signed by the person certifying them. Justice of the Peace a Practicing Solicitor Due to COVID-19, we understand it might be difficult to get hold of additional copies of the death certificate. To help as much as we can, we’ll accept electronic copies of death certificates wherever possible. To avoid extra waiting time please notify us of a death using the online service Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* instead of over the phone. If you need to speak to someone then call or visit us or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one in branch. Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. savingsBEREVME A E NT 98

ISA accounts S pousal ISAs

When someone dies on or before 5 If the deceased had a spouse or civil April 2018 the funds will no longer partner living with them, they may be What happens next Talkbenefit from to their us. tax-free status entitled to open a Spousal ISA. after the date of death. We’ll move the funds into an instant access If the spouse or civil partner chooses account, (which will have a different to open a Spousal ISA, then we’ll let account number) – although we them know how much they can invest A ccount(s) in a single name A ccount(s) in joint names won’t be able to close this account in their own name. until Probate or the Letters of Once the death has been registered, The joint account holder(s) will still Administration (or Indemnity form, if This is known as Additional we will write to the next of kin and be able to access the account. Once applicable) has been received by the Permitted Subscriptions and will confirm our records have been we have received a copy of the death Society. The funds in this account not count towards any current year updated and what we’ll need next. certificate we will take a copy and will also form part of the deceased’s subscriptions. We’ll also provide the next of kin, update our records. We will then estate. Executor or Beneficiary (as applicable) remove the deceased’s name from The time limit for investing in a with any figures required to apply for the account leaving the account From 6 April 2018 ISA regulations Spousal ISA ends 3 years after the Probate (also known as Confirmation in the sole name of the surviving changed and when someone dies date of death, or 180 days after in Scotland) – such as the amount in holder(s). after this date the ISA can still benefit the administration of the estate is the account(s). from the tax-free status until the complete, if this is later. We will provide notification once completion of the deceased’s estate, Once we have Probate or Letters of this is completed. If the next of kin, closure of the account or on the We don’t currently offer a Spousal ISA, Administration, or our Will Indemnity Executor or Beneficiary require the third anniversary of the death of but other banks and building societies or Intestacy Indemnity form (see balance at the date of death on a joint the account holder – whichever is do. details under the ‘Will I need Probate?’ account, we will need the authority soonest. section on page 14) completed by of the remaining account holder(s) to the Executor or the Administrator, we provide this. We’ll confirm everything in writing will be able to close the account. See to the next of kin, Executor or page 14 for our Probate limits. Beneficiary (as applicable) with any figures you might need and guidance We can also assist in arranging on what to do next. probate services. Further details are provided on page 14.

To make things easier, any withdrawal restrictions or penalties on fixed rate products don’t apply once we’ve registered the death. Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. BEREVME A E NT 1011

The differences between the two Make sure you keep checking types of ownership means the the property regularly if it’s not position when one of the owners dies your home too. If you have home is different. To find out the type of insurance with Aviva through Leeds What happens next (cont) ownership, you should contact the Building Society, please call them on Land Registry or the Solicitor dealing 0345 030 7027 (calls to Aviva may be with the probate. monitored and/or recorded).

If the property is a Shared Ownership Life insurance Mortgage in a single name We may also be able to transfer the property you may also need to mortgage to temporary interest contact the relevant housing Check to see if the deceased had a life We’ll need to speak to the Executor/ only terms to reduce the expected association. insurance policy. If you think they may Administrator if the deceased held payments. To discuss this or further have had cover from Legal & General a mortgage in their own name. options, please get in touch. A ssigned Insurance through Leeds Building Society, Once we’ve registered the death, (Endowment) Policies please call 0800 137 101 to check, we apply a two month hold on any Mortgage in joint names and find out what to do next. mortgage payments which will help If there is an assigned (linked) whilst you arrange for a Grant of If the mortgage is in joint names, Endowment policy to the mortgage Written contact Representation. During this time, we’ll need to speak to the other then we will submit a claim on behalf we won’t expect any payments person on the mortgage as soon of the person who’s died. We’ll We’ll change our records as quickly to be made, and we won’t apply as it’s convenient. Just as we do confirm in writing once the funds as we can but because some letters any charges. However interest will for mortgages in single names, a are received from the claim, and will and emails are prepared a few weeks continue to be charged and added to temporary two month hold will be arrange to reduce the balance or to in advance, you may receive some the mortgage balance. placed on the payments, and after pay off the mortgage, depending general correspondence addressed this period we’ll expect the payments on the amount received. If there is to the person who has died - please One of our specialist mortgage to continue. During this period a separate policy not linked to the accept our apologies if you do. account management team interest will continue to be charged mortgage you will need to contact members will be able to discuss and added to the mortgage balance. the provider directly. further options if a Grant of Representation hasn’t been If you think that you may have some Home Insurance obtained after two months. difficulties and need assistance making the mortgage payments, If the deceased had Home Insurance Once a grant of representation has our specialist mortgage account please contact the Insurance been obtained we’ll be able to discuss management team will be able to company as soon as you can as there the mortgage with you. We’ll also discuss your options with you. might be implications for the cover if ask you to start making mortgage the policyholder has passed away. payments until the mortgage is repaid Where a property with a mortgage is by the Executor(s) or Administrator(s). owned jointly there are two types of ownership, known as “joint tenants” or “tenants in common”. Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. BEREVME A E NT 1213

Who should you tell?

There are lots of other organisations Who you should tell who will need to be updated. The list (Please note this list is designed to be a guide and is not exhaustive) on the following page gives you an idea of who might need to know, but Ticklist for financial organisations there may be other people you need to tell too. Who to tell A ccount 1 A ccount 2 A ccount 3 Bank Please remember that if you are Building Society currently registered as an Attorney (Lasting or Enduring) or have a Credit Card General Power of Attorney these Mortgage provider cease on the date of death. If it is a Lasting or Enduring Power of Pension provider Attorney, the Office of the Public Other money (national savings/ Guardian will need to be notified. G overnment ‘Tell Us Once’ premium bonds/loans etc.) S ervice Ticklist for other organisations Almost all registration offices run a ‘Tell Us Once’ service, which means Pre-paid funeral plan provider DVLA you can report the death to many Electricity provider Royal Mail redirection government organisations in one go, Gas provider Doctor including: HM Revenue & Customs, Department for Work & Pensions, Water provider Hospital(s) DVLA, Passport Office and the local Phone provider Others: council. To find out more information please visit www.gov.uk/after-a- Mobile phone provider death/organisations-you-need-to- Internet/Broadband provider contact-and-tell-us-once

Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. BEREAVEMENT 1415

Will I need probate?

This depends on the amount the deceased has saved with us. The table below tells you what we’ll need for accounts held with us. Other banks or building Managing the Estate societies may have different requirements.

# Things to think about... Total savings A Will is in place No Will in place Up to and Complete our Will Indemnity Complete our Intestacy The Will Inheritance Tax including Form, and return it to us with an Indemnity Form, and return £1,500.00 original or certified copy of the it to us together with Will and closing instructions. closing instructions. The Executors named in the Will Remember, you may need to pay are responsible for dealing with the Inheritance Tax. There is a level below Between Complete our Will Indemnity Complete our Intestacy £1,500.01 and Form, with a solicitor who Indemnity Form, with a solicitor estate, including letting relevant which you won’t have to pay any tax, will be required to sign the who will be required to sign the financial institutions know and making and there are certain exemptions for £39,999.99 form. Return it to us with form. Return it to us together sure that any property is secure and money or assets passing to a spouse, an original or certified copy with closing instructions. of the Will together with safe. If you’re not a named Executor, civil partner or charity, but it can be closing instructions. you’ll need to tell them straightaway. complicated, so check direct.gov.uk for advice. If you’re still unsure £40,000 You will need to obtain a Grant You will need to obtain a Grant and over of Probate (Certificate of of Letters of Administration Executor accounts there are independent professional Confirmation in Scotland). (Certificate of Confirmation advisers who may be able to assist. Send this or a certified copy to in Scotland). Send this or Although we can’t provide you with We can transfer funds from the us with closing instructions. a certified copy to us with closing instructions. an Executor account, they are widely deceased’s account(s) to cover any available. Inheritance Tax you may need to pay – let us know if this is something we Probate can sometimes take a while Help arranging Probate can help you with. to obtain but remember if you need to pay Inheritance Tax, Probate fees We can also assist in arranging or any funeral expenses (including probate services. paying for the funeral, the post funeral reception (Wake), flowers, Need help arranging Probate? We’ve transport and the headstone) from partnered with Irwin Mitchell, one of the accounts, we can arrange for this. the UK’s leading law firms who may be able to help you with this complex and Once Probate has been registered sensitive issue. Contact your local with us, we’ll be able to release the branch or call Irwin Mitchell directly on remaining funds to the Executor(s) or 0330 123 2042 for details. Our leaflet Administrator(s) as applicable. - Probate Services gives more details about Probate and how speaking with a specialist could help at this difficult Let’s talk: Pop in to your local branch, call 03450 50 50 75* time. or visit www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk/loss-of-a-loved-one Death Notification Service: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk #This is the total balance in all the deceased’s savings account(s) held with Leeds Building Society plus accrued *We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes. interest, at date of death. BEREAVEMENT 16

Thinking about your financial future

Although it might feel strange to We know this may be difficult now, even consider at the moment, it’s however some areas to consider important to start thinking about how when you’re ready are: your financial situation might have changed when you are ready to. Updating your Will to change the beneficiaries or reflect any If you would like help, you may wish inheritance you may have received to book a personal review with one What to do with any money of our in-branch specially-trained you may have inherited advisers as soon as you feel able to. Whether your existing insurance They’ll be able to sensitively take you policies meet your needs through all the financial areas which may have been impacted by your loss Your own funeral plans and how and help you decide what to do next. these might be paid for in advance

Practical information and advice Understanding key terms Bereavement Advice Centre Government Will Finding Service You may hear these words and Intestate/Intestacy Practical information and advice Advice on finding a Will. phrases when dealing with a Will or an This means that someone has died when you’ve suffered a loss. www.gov.uk/find-persons-will Estate - here’s what they mean: without making a (valid) Will. Tel 0800 634 9494 or visit www.bereavementadvice.org Cruse Bereavement Care Additional Permitted Personal representative For general information, counselling Subscriptions (APS) The person legally responsible for Citizens Advice and support. In 2014 the Government announced dealing with the estate of a person The largest independent Tel 0800 731 4044 or visit that any accumulated ISA funds could who has died, also referred to as an advice provider in the UK. www.cruse.org.uk effectively be inherited by a suviving Executor or an Administrator. www.citizensadvice.org.uk Grief Encounter spouse or civil partner in the form of HM Revenue & Customs Free support for children, young adults an increased ISA allowance. This is Probate Government department offering and their families, to help them cope known as the APS. (known as Confirmation advice on probate and inheritance tax. with losing a loved one. in Scotland) Tel 0300 123 1072 or visit www.griefencounter.org.uk Estate The formal legal process following www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax All assets belonging to the deceased. a person’s death that authorises a The Law Society personal representative to deal with Irwin Mitchell For information on local solicitors Funeral expenses the deceased’s estate. One of the UK’s largest law firms www.solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk This includes the funeral, the funeral and our recommended partner reception (Wake), flowers, transport Will for probate services. and headstone. This list is not A legal document that outlines a Tel 0330 123 2042 The Bereavement Register Receiving post addressed to inclusive and if you have any other person’s wishes about what should UK Government the person who has died can be expenses to pay please get in touch. happen to their estate when they die. Advice on bereavement upsetting. The Bereavement www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths- Register is a free service which Grant of Probate/Grant of marriages/death will reduce the amount of mail Letters of Administration being addressed to them. The formal court documents issued Government Will Finding Service Sign up at by the Probate Service confirming the Advice on finding a Will. www.the-bereavement-register. appointment of the Executor named www.gov.uk/find-persons-will org.uk. in the Will or an Administrator if no Will was made.

Visit us online www.leedsbuildingsociety.co.uk

THE MORTGAGED PROPERTY (WHICH MAY BE YOUR HOME) MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DON’T KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE

Just to make you aware we offer a ‘restricted advice’service in relation to financial protection products, which means we can only offer financial protection products from Legal and General. Legal and General Assurance Society Limited. Reference in England No.166055. Registered Office: One Coleman Street, London EC2R 5AA. Leeds Building Society, 26 Sovereign Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 4BJ.

We may monitor and/or record your telephone conversations with the Society to ensure consistent service levels and for colleague training purposes.

Leeds Building Society is an introducer to Irwin Mitchell LLP for probate services. Irwin Mitchell is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales No. OC343897. VAT Reg No. GB 945758768. Registered Office: Riverside East, 2 Millsands, Sheffield, S3 8DT, United Kingdom. Irwin Mitchell are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The provision of probate services are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Buildings and contents insurance arranged by Leeds Building Society is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Limited. Registered in Scotland, number 2116. Registered Office: Pitheavlis, Perth PH2 0NH. Authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Financial Services Registration No. 202153. Aviva Insurance Limited may decline to quote in some circumstances.

Leeds Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulatory Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority and our registration number is 164992. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting the FCA website at www.fca.org.uk/firms/systems-reporting/register or by contacting the FCA on 0800 111 6768.

Large text, Braille and audio tape versions of the brochure are available on request.

LM2360 (09/2020)