Help and support following a bereavement

Let us know

The first thing to do is get in touch with us and let us know that someone’s passed away.

You can do this in a number of ways:

When you’ve let us know someone’s passed away, we will need to see the death certificate, this does not need to be the original but it will need to be a clear and full copy.

If this isn’t available, we can also accept:

• A death certificate verification form.
• An interim certificate issued by the Coroner’s Office.

What we'll do next

Once you’ve let us know and we’ve received the death certificate (or one of the items listed above), we’ll:

• Update our records and stop any future mail being sent to the person who’s passed away.
• Review the account(s) and send you a summary.
• Let you know if we need any other documents to move forward - like a will or a Grant of Probate.
• Return your documents if you sent them by post.

We’ll keep things clear and guide you through what comes next - at your pace.

Savings accounts

If you need money to pay for bereavement related costs

To cover things such as funeral costs, probate or inheritance tax, funds can be released from the account of the customer who has passed away, other than that we’ll stop any money going in or out. If you let us know what you need, we'll talk you through the process.

Joint savings accounts

If the person who has passed has a joint account, the account will be updated to be in the name of the other person or people named on the account. This is known as ‘the rule of survivorship’.

If the person didn’t leave a will, we’ll need the Grant of Letters of Administration. If you need more information about this, take a look at the Government’s useful guide on applying for probate where there's no will open_in_new.

We’ll close the account if it’s a sole account

Once we have a death certificate (or other document), we'll update our records, return this to you and let you know what we need to close the account. We'll continue to pay interest on any accounts until they're closed. We'll then send you a cheque for any money left in the account.

Forms needed to close savings accounts

To close the account(s), we’ll need some more information from you. We’ll let you know what form we need you to complete.

Transfer of an ISA allowance

You can inherit the ISA allowance left behind by your spouse or civil partner, this is known as an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS). Even if they leave their ISA funds to someone else, you’ll still inherit the ISA allowance that’s built up over the years. You can see more information hereopen_in_new.

Mortgage accounts

Sole mortgages

If the mortgage is held in the name of the deceased only it’ll need to be repaid. There are a number of ways to do this including:

• Selling the property.
• Using the person’s life policy payment.
• Applying for a new mortgage in someone else’s name.
• Using the person’s savings or investments.

You won’t need to make any monthly mortgage payments for six months - interest will continue to be charged throughout this time.

Joint mortgages

Joint mortgages are either held as Joint Tenants or Tenants in Common and the surviving mortgage account holder will be responsible for the remainder of the mortgage.

Joint Tenants means the mortgage will continue in the name of the person left on the mortgage.

Tenants in Common means the property doesn’t automatically go to the other person. In these cases we’ll need the original Grant of Probate.

If there’s any concerns about making the monthly mortgage payments, get in touch as there are things we can do to help. For example, we can defer your payments for six months - interest will continue to be charged throughout this time.

Identity verification

We’ll need to verify the identify of any Executors that aren’t West Brom customers and we’ll aim to do this electronically. If we need other information to do this, we’ll let you know.

Useful contacts

Grief is different for everyone. Some days it’s heavy, some days feel a little lighter - and it’s okay to need help.

Things to know

Executor

This is the person or people named in a will. They’re legally responsible for dealing with the estate.

Beneficiary

This is someone named in a will.

Estate

This is a deceased person's belongings, finances and property.

Intestate/Intestacy

When someone dies without leaving a will.

Administrator

This is someone who has a Grant of Letters of Administration which means they can deal with the estate if a will wasn’t left.

Personal Representative

This is another way to say an Executor or Administrator.

Probate

This is the name given to the process where a person has died and left a will. It’s a legal document that confirms their will and allows their Executors to deal with their estate.

Confirmation

The Scottish term for a Grant of Probate or Grant of Letters of Administration.

Grant of Letters of Administration

This is where someone died without leaving a will. It’s a legal document that allows the person’s closest relative, or relatives, to deal with their estate. This can also be used where a person has left a will but their Executor can’t deal with the estate. Commissioner for Oaths This is a person who is authorised to witness the signing of important legal documents, including affidavits and statutory declarations. They are appointed by the Chief Justice and are usually, but not always, a solicitor.

Commissioner for Oaths

This is a person who is authorised to witness the signing of important legal documents, including affidavits and statutory declarations. They are appointed by the Chief Justice and are usually, but not always, a solicitor.