united-kingdom wills
How does one value an estate before being able to access details?
<p><em>Question arising out of <a href="https://law.stackexchange.com/a/4085/427">this answer</a>.</em></p>

<p>In the UK, one needs to <a href="https://www.gov.uk/valuing-estate-of-someone-who-died" rel="nofollow noreferrer">value the money, property, and possessions of someone who died</a>, <strong>before</strong> one can <a href="https://www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance/applying-for-a-grant-of-representation" rel="nofollow noreferrer">apply to represent the estate</a> for official dealings. </p>

<p>Assume the decedent has one or more bank/financial services accounts, does not regularly forward balance statements to next-of-kin, and did not leave a recent paper statement in an easily discoverable location (e.g. the decedent received electronic statements), which seems likely to be common. </p>

<p>How does a next-of-kin access the bank records needed to value the estate?</p>

<p>When applying for a grant of probate, you are required to submit an estimate for the value of the deceased estate. This valuation is generally used by HMRC for tax purposes. I believe estates worth more than a certain amount are automatically flagged to HMRC.</p>

<p>Anyway, it is true that the existence bank accounts unknown to those applying for probate (or other property undisclosed to them, such as a hidden cottage in the woods) may make it difficult to do so, so a reasonably thorough attempt at valuing the deceased's assets should suffice.</p>

<p>It is important to note that such estimates are not conclusive proof of the value of the deceased's estate. To conclusively prove the value of an estate one may have to bring a part 8 claim in court, but this is likely only relevant in cases of contentious probate (where there is doubt as to who may inherit or benefit under a will). </p>
