At Poole Alcock, we understand that the present circumstances can make the loss of a loved one even more difficult to deal with. Whilst our offices are closed, we are still able to assist you, and to help put your mind at ease during an already difficult time. Below is a brief guide to what to do if someone you love has recently passed away.
My relative has recently passed away. What do I do now?
The first priority when a loved one passes away is usually to arrange an appropriate and dignified funeral service. This remains important and relevant during these uncertain times despite the many restrictions that our Government has put into place in response to the Covid-19 outbreak. Although many public ceremonies are currently being temporarily stopped, funerals are still allowed to take place. Once you have arranged the funeral and are satisfied that all is in order, you may wish to start thinking about the other points to deal with following a death – such as their property and finances.
To discuss what these other points may be, please do not hesitate to call one of our friendly probate solicitors on 0800 389 7093 or contact us via our online form and we will be happy to help.
My relative who has passed away holds their Will with Poole Alcock – what happens now?
All Wills stored with our firm are held securely and safely offsite from our offices. They are entirely safe and will continue to be. At the present time, we are temporarily unable to retrieve documents from our storage facility due to the disruption caused by Covid-19.
For Wills made in recent years, it is likely that a copy will be scanned onto our online case management system. The deceased may also have a copy amongst their papers so it is worth completing a check of this first.
If you cannot locate a copy or are unsure whether the Will is with Poole Alcock, please call one of our team on 0800 389 7093 or contact us via our online form and we will be happy to search our database for you and provide any relevant information.
I have arranged the funeral – but what next?
The answer to this question really depends on the circumstances of the deceased person. Here at Poole Alcock we aim to be by your side despite the current circumstances. Although we are not able at this moment in time to conduct face to face consultations to discuss matters, we are more than happy to assist using telephone consultations with clients.
This can be particularly beneficial, in that it provides initial guidance following a bereavement and will establish what next steps are required. If you require any assistance with these steps, we are able to take instructions over the telephone, or email. It also means that you can receive the same ‘Commitment to Excellence’ service that we strive to offer from the comfort of your own home. If you wish to arrange a telephone consultation with one of our dedicated probate team, please call us on 0800 389 7093 or contact us via our online form and we will be happy to arrange this for you.
EXISTING PROBATE MATTERS
At Poole Alcock, we are committed to continuing to provide clients with the highest level of customer services, even through this very trying time. If you have already instructed one of our expert Probate lawyers to assist you in the administration of the estate of a deceased loved one, please rest assured that we are still diligently working on your file. Please see below a list of some of the more frequently asked questions from our existing Probate clients.
Can I still contact the staff dealing with my matter?
Yes. The usual telephone numbers are all still in use and we would be very happy to hear from you. You are also able to contact us by email and we will respond in our usual way.
Can I call into the office?
All the offices are now closed until further notice but our staff are working from home and can be contacted by email or telephone as normal.
Will my matter still be progressing?
Yes very much so. We have dedicated staff working from various locations and an IT system in place to ensure that work can continue.
Will I experience any delays?
We will do our utmost to ensure that everything is dealt with within our usual time scales. We will however be reliant on other organisations to be working in a similar way. Over the last few days we have found that some organisations are working on reduced hours and with diminished staff such as the Inland Revenue, local authorities, estate agents and Probate Registries so delays will be inevitable.
If I have any concerns?
Please do get in touch we are all here to help you through what seems a challenging period. Please do not worry, just give us a call. Our main number should you have any problems is 0800 389 7093.
