A Roadmap Through the Paperwork of Grief
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
As widows and widowers, we understand just how difficult the "sadmin", or life-after-death admin, can be. When you lose a partner, the world seems to stop, yet the paperwork keeps moving. At The Widowed Collective, we know that death is tough enough without the burden of endless calls and legal tasks.
To help our community navigate these heavy practicalities, we’ve been approached by Octopus Legacy, a company that helps people plan for death and provides support after a loss. They have prepared a truly useful guide: Life After Loss, which you can find now on our website.
The founder of Octopus Legacy, Sam Grice, started the organisation after feeling overwhelmed when his own mother passed away, so they truly understand the weight of this "life admin."
A Practical Step-by-Step
The Octopus Legacy guide is designed to talk you through the legal steps required in England and Wales.
Phase 1: The Initial Essentials
Register the death: This must be done with the registrar to obtain the official death certificate.
Find the Will: Locating the original signed Will is a priority for understanding the next legal steps.
Organise the funeral: A practical and personal step that usually requires immediate focus.
Notify organisations: This includes government agencies, banks, and other private companies.
Phase 2: Building a Picture of the Estate
Once the initial steps are handled, Octopus Legacy recommends valuing the estate and determining if Inheritance Tax is due. You may also need to apply for a Grant of Probate (if there is a Will) or Letters of Administration (if there isn’t).
Expert Support Is Just a Call Away
If you find yourself stuck or feeling overwhelmed by these steps, you don't have to figure it out alone. Octopus Legacy provides an expert team specifically to help you through these hurdles.
Phone: +44 (0)20 4525 3605
Email: hello@octopuslegacy.com
If you’re looking for a safe space to discuss these challenges with people who truly understand, join us at The Widowed Collective.
WhatsApp Group: To join our community chat, please sign up here: thewidowedcollective.com.
Weekly Zoom Meetings: If you would like to join our weekly face-to-face support sessions, you also need to sign up to become a Widowed Collective member via the website.
(Please note: To protect our members from scammers, Zoom access details are provided only to registered members.)
