Can I access the deceased's bank account before probate?

Not generally. Banks will usually pay the funeral bill, the court fee and Inheritance Tax directly, but they will not release the balance to you until they see the grant.

How soon must I register a death?

Within five days in England & Wales, unless the coroner is involved, in which case the registrar will tell you when to attend.

Process · 6 min read

What to do in the first two weeks after a death

Very little has to happen immediately. Registering the death and securing the property are urgent; almost everything else can wait until you have the death certificates in hand.

Written and reviewed by Ramani Gill, Founder & CEO — Solicitor, TEP, BA, LLM. Last reviewed 2026-08-19.

Days 1 to 5

Obtain the medical certificate of cause of death, now issued after review by a medical examiner
Book an appointment to register the death — normally within five days in England & Wales
Order several certified copies of the death certificate while you are there
Check whether the deceased left a will, and where the original is held
Secure the property: locks, heating, post redirection and a check on the insurer's empty-property terms

How many death certificates?

Order at least five. Most banks accept a certified copy, and having them in hand saves weeks of sending one original round in circles.

Days 5 to 14

Use Tell Us Once to notify most government departments in a single step
Arrange the funeral — the will may contain wishes, and a bank will usually pay the funeral invoice directly from the deceased's account before the grant
Notify banks, pension providers and insurers of the death and ask for date-of-death balances
Cancel subscriptions, standing orders and utilities not needed to keep the property safe
Start a simple list of assets and debts; you will need it for the application

Doing this yourself?

Our guided service walks an executor through valuations, the HMCTS forms and the estate accounts for a one-off £349.

Check if I can do probate myself

What does not need to happen yet

Distributing anything to beneficiaries
Selling the house or clearing it out
Applying for probate — you need the valuations first
Deciding whether to use a solicitor

Do not distribute early

Handing out possessions or money before you know the estate's full position can leave you personally liable for a debt or a tax bill that appears later.

GOV.UK — What to do when someone dies

Common questions

Can I access the deceased's bank account before probate?: Not generally. Banks will usually pay the funeral bill, the court fee and Inheritance Tax directly, but they will not release the balance to you until they see the grant.
How soon must I register a death?: Within five days in England & Wales, unless the coroner is involved, in which case the registrar will tell you when to attend.

Not sure whether this estate is straightforward?

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