Guide
What to do when your father dies
When your father dies there’s a lot to hold at once. You don’t have to do it all today — start with the few things that come first.
At a glance
- Follow the registration instructions for the UK nation where the death happened.
- Begin funeral arrangements and check for a will, prepaid plan or written wishes.
- Use Tell Us Once within 28 days if the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales; Northern Ireland uses separate services.
- Confirm who is authorised to deal with the estate before closing or transferring assets.
If you’re sorting out his affairs
Look for a will to find out who the executor is. If your mother is still living, much may pass to her automatically and probate may not be needed. If your father lived alone or owned property in his sole name, probate is more likely.
Check for a workplace or private pension and any life insurance — these can pay out to the family and often aren’t part of the will.
The first steps that apply to everyone
Whatever your situation, registration comes first. In England and Wales, wait for the medical examiner’s office to confirm you can register, then do so within 5 days. In Scotland, register within 8 days of the death. Northern Ireland has a separate process, normally within 5 days. Order the certified copies you expect to need, then begin funeral arrangements and check for any prepaid plan or written wishes your father left.
Telling people and organisations
If the person lived in England, Scotland or Wales, use Tell Us Once within 28 days of receiving the reference number. It reports the death to HMRC, DWP, the passport office, DVLA and the local council. It is not available when the person lived in Northern Ireland. Banks, private pensions, insurers and household services must still be contacted directly.
Where to go
The official UK services and trusted support for this — so you can act, not just read.
- Register a deathGOV.UK Find and book your local register office, and see what to bring.
- Applying for probateGOV.UK Probate guidance for England and Wales, with links to Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Valuing an estateGOV.UK How to work out the value of the estate for Inheritance Tax.
- What to do when someone dies: step by stepGOV.UK The official end-to-end checklist.
- Dealing with an estate in ScotlandScottish Courts Official guidance on confirmation and administering a Scottish estate.
- Probate in Northern Irelandnidirect Official Northern Ireland probate guidance.
Common questions
- Does everything go to my mother automatically?
- Jointly-owned assets usually pass to a surviving spouse automatically. Anything in your father’s sole name follows the will, or the intestacy rules if there’s no will.
- How do I find out if my father had a will?
- Check his home and paperwork, ask his bank or solicitor, and you can search the National Will Register. The will names the executor responsible for the estate.
General information to help you find your way — not legal or financial advice. Last reviewed June 2026.