what happens to bills when someone dies?

[Dizaster]

hi guys, I wanted a bit of advice. sadly my mum passed away suddenly today. I'm really worried about bills, debts and the housing situation.

basically my mum is 55, currently supposed to be working full time but has been on SSP since June last year. it just ended, she also gets tax credits and child benefit. we have a sky subscription, my mobile phone with EE is in her name, gas and electric bills and council tax are also in her name. we live in a 4 bed house that I'm sure is with a housing association. my dad passed away a while ago, so it's just me and my siblings left. my sister who is 13, my sister who is 23, I'm 24 and brother who is 25. he works full time, minimum wage. my sister who does an apprenticeship and I recently lost my job. she only died today, apparently all the bills are up to date for a month and she has a few debts.

 

I was wondering what I do now?

she's not well off or has loads of assets

can I change all the benefits and bills to my name and take legal guardian ship of my sister?

 

I'd apreciate a little guidance, thank you

[citizenB]

Very sorry to hear of your loss. I will try and find someone to help.

[citizenB]

Have you been living in the house with your Mum ?

[Mr.P]

I was wondering what I do now?

she's not well off or has loads of assets

can I change all the benefits and bills to my name and take legal guardian ship of my sister?

 

first thing is there is nothing that needs to be done right now. Take the time to grieve and come to terms with you loss as best you can. The death needs to be registered and a copy of the death certificate obtained (I'd suggest getting ten copies when you do it as extras will cost more in the future). Once you have the death cert, the funeral can be arranged which you may be able to get financial assistance for from the DWP.

 

As for your sister, I'd suggest ringing the school first thing in the morning and getting her excused from attending for at least a week. You should be able to become her guardian without too much difficulty, but that can wait.

 

There will be a list of people that need to be informed of your mums passing, DWP, HA/LA, utilities providers, employer, insurance companies, bank, and debtors. I wouldn't worry about transferring utility bills to your name just yet (I still haven't notified the water Co. nearly one year on). Note: If the bills are paid by direct debit, once the bank is informed, the DD payments will cease, at which point you can look at transferring the bills to another name.

 

When you are ready, we can help to deal with each issue as they arise.

[Dizaster]

Have you been living in the house with your Mum ?

 

yes, all the people in this house have always lived together as a family since we were born, I moved out a year ago for five days but that went wrong! but yeah I believe it's all above board because until I lost my job two weeks ago I was paying towards the rent and council tax and bills and so was my brother and sister

[AndyOrch]

Dizaster ..I have moved your thread to the General Legal Issues Forum.....so it is correctly placed.

 

If I may ask did Mum pass at home or in Hospital...was it expected and was there any care provisions or support provisions in place?

 

Regards

 

Andy

[Dizaster]

Dizaster ..I have moved your thread to the General Legal Issues Forum.....so it is correctly placed.

 

If I may ask did Mum pass at home or in Hospital...was it expected and was there any care provisions or support provisions in place?

 

Regards

 

Andy

 

thanks.

 

she died in hospital, totally unexpected and its down to lack of care, negligence and misdiagnosis

[Dizaster]

first thing is there is nothing that needs to be done right now. Take the time to grieve and come to terms with you loss as best you can. The death needs to be registered and a copy of the death certificate obtained (I'd suggest getting ten copies when you do it as extras will cost more in the future). Once you have the death cert, the funeral can be arranged which you may be able to get financial assistance for from the DWP.

 

As for your sister, I'd suggest ringing the school first thing in the morning and getting her excused from attending for at least a week. You should be able to become her guardian without too much difficulty, but that can wait.

 

There will be a list of people that need to be informed of your mums passing, DWP, HA/LA, utilities providers, employer, insurance companies, bank, and debtors. I wouldn't worry about transferring utility bills to your name just yet (I still haven't notified the water Co. nearly one year on). Note: If the bills are paid by direct debit, once the bank is informed, the DD payments will cease, at which point you can look at transferring the bills to another name.

 

When you are ready, we can help to deal with each issue as they arise.

 

thank you a lot for your reply, I'm going to look more into it tomorrow thanks again

[Dizaster]

does anyone have any information regarding guardianship of my sister? I'd want to take on guardianship and claim the benefits of its possible so we can pay the rent. any a doc would be great, Google is very confusing

[Mr.P]

Way outside my area, and I agree, google searches are confusing (especially with links to US sites). I came up with https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-someone-elses-child and http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/. I think the first thing to do though would be to talk to your local social services department. Somewhere along the line, they would have to be involved, so it is probably best to get them on board sooner rather than later.

[Dizaster]

Way outside my area, and I agree, google searches are confusing (especially with links to US sites). I came up with https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-someone-elses-child and http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/. I think the first thing to do though would be to talk to your local social services department. Somewhere along the line, they would have to be involved, so it is probably best to get them on board sooner rather than later.

 

thanks for your answer. I was think because she has always lived with me since she was born and I pretty much raised her with my other brother and sister, there won't be any problems. hopefully me not having a job won't get in the way.

[citizenB]

Have you spoken to the Head of your sister's school ? Aside from the fact that they will need to be told that your Sister might be upset at the moment, I am sure they will be able to help with putting you in touch with Social Services.

[Mr.P]

I asked a family member to have a read of this thread even although she doesn't subscribe to the forum. As she works in one of the Social Services department, I value her opinion, and this is what she has to say:

 

Agree that speaking to local social services should be the first step. A "Special Guardianship Order" can be made if it is felt that it is appropriate. In the meantime, I'm not sure who can claim the child benefit for the 13 yr old as I'm presuming it was previously being paid to the mum.

 

Either the hospital, GP or school may have already alerted Social Services of the situation, which will got the ball rolling, but this can't be assumed. In addition, the 13 yr old should be put in touch with specialist bereavement service for young people.

 

When registering the death, there's a one stop shop approach which means all the official stuff (DWP, DVLA, tax office etc) are dealt with in one shot. https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once

 

Make sure the contact is maintained with school as they need to know what's going on and help provide long term support.

Hope that helps.

[Mr.P]

A "Special Guardianship Order" can be made if it is felt that it is appropriate.

 

It has been pointed out privately that a Guardianship Order may not be appropriate and can lead to difficulties once the child reaches the age of 16. There are other options available, see: https://www.gov.uk/looking-after-someone-elses-child

 

If the OP discusses the matter with Social Services, they may well agree that as the younger sister will be 16 in three years time, there is no need to get a court order.