Bereavement help needed

ollieandduke

I was next to kin to my brother who passed away 27th march 2024.
He was 66 yrs old on the 21/3/24.
After he passed away I registered his death and notified his pension, his pip. And his universal credit.
I went into his bank to cancel his account and was told by the cashier that he had state pension and pip deposited into his bank but because he had died I couldn't with draw it as it is fraud.
He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and so he asked me to arrange a pure cremation which he paid for himself.
Trouble is he still has bills to pay and no money left.
Pip has sent me a form asking me questions about his death and said they think they owe him some money, they say if they decide to pay it will be deposited into my account 
What I was wondering is if he had pension put in his account would they allow me that too it's to pay bills I don't want his money, I would rather he be here than me receive his money but I have to pay his bills and I don't have money myself 
Any advice please

ollieandduke

Thank you so much xxx

MW123

@ollieandduke

Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your brother. I can only imagine how difficult and sorrowful this period must be for you.

Without a comprehensive understanding of your brother's assets and liabilities, it's indeed difficult to provide specific advice. If your brother owned property, had substantial savings or investments, or held other valuable assets, it could influence how his debts are settled and the available options for managing his estate.

You're not obliged to settle your brother's bills right away, especially as you await the completion of legal processes to access your brother's bank account. If you're feeling up to it, you can reach out to his creditors to discuss payment plans or postponement of payments until you have access to his funds. Many businesses recognise the challenges faced by those who have recently experienced a loss and have dedicated departments or teams to provide support and assistance during this time. 

If your brother did not have substantial assets or if his debts exceed his assets, the estate might be insolvent. In such instances, creditors may not receive full repayment. The legal process of administering the estate may differ under these circumstances, so it's important to seek advice from a solicitor.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is always a deeply overwhelming experience, and navigating through the legal complexities can add to the stress. However, amidst all of this, remember to take care of yourself.

ollieandduke

Thank you for your advice MW123 my brother didn't have any assets he was on benefits and lived in a council flat for 14 years by his self.
He had a back dated payment off pip which he used to pay of his rent arrears and pay for a pure cremation when he passed.
He made sure his rent and council tax were paid every month once the arrears were paid
And the only debt he had was a £1649 payable to Severn trent but once he died I notified them but they still want the debt as he owed it from the year before he died.
He was told 18th february 2024 he had terminal cancer and he died  27th march so he only lasted 4 weeks which didn't give him much time

Albus_Scope

Hi there @ollieandduke I have nothing to really add to the conversation, but I just wanted to send my heartfelt condolences on your loss. 

MW123

@ollieandduke

It's important to ensure that the water company receives a copy of your late brother's death certificate and is made aware of his circumstances. These include his residency in a council flat and his receipt of state benefits.

If your name does not appear on the bill, you are not legally obligated to pay your brother's debt. In the UK, personal debts do not transfer to family members upon death.

There is a possibility of liability in certain circumstances, such as if you were jointly named on the bill or if you acted as a guarantor for the debt. However, since you are not named on the bill, it is unlikely that you will be held responsible for your late brother's  Severn Trent Water debt.

Any remaining money in your late brother's bank account must be used to settle his debts. After this, the debts will be forgiven. (Written off).

I truly hope that the water company will cease their collection efforts once they receive the required evidence. However, if they persist in harassing you for this debt and you cannot afford a solicitor, I strongly advise seeking assistance from a debt charity.

Please know that you have my deepest sympathies during this challenging time. I hope this information helps you feel more confident in managing your late brother's debt and finding a resolution.

Kimi87

I am also very sorry for your loss. 

Citizens Advice have a good guide:

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/death-and-wills/dealing-with-the-financial-affairs-of-someone-who-has-died/

You might find it useful to contact them for specific help.