Losing a loved one
What to do when someone dies
The process you will need to follow as a representative for processing your loved one's assets depends on what type of accounts they held with us. You can find below a step by step summary of the different processes. If you're unsure of what type of accounts your loved one held, we will notify you of this once we have received the death certificate.
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Register the death
- To find out more about registering a death in the UK or abroad visit www.gov.uk/register-a-death.
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Notification of death
- Call our Helpdesk on 0117 906 7806.
- Send us the death certificate by post, either a certified copy or the original, along with a covering letter with your details as the sender. Please send the death certificate to Hargreaves Lansdown, One College Square South, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5HL.
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Valuation
- We return the death certificate to you, along with a probate valuation and an estates application pack. The application pack is used to instruct how to close the HL account.
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Closing instructions
- You return the estates release forms included in the application pack along with a certified copy of the Will, if the account with us is valued below £50,000, or a sealed copy of the Grant of Probate if assets at date of death are valued over £50,000.
- We action your closing instructions and provide confirmation of this to the Executor. The deceased’s HL account will then be closed once administration is complete.
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Register the death
- To find out more about registering a death in the UK or abroad visit www.gov.uk/register-a-death.
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Notification of death
- Call our Helpdesk on 0117 906 7806.
- Send us the death certificate by post, either a certified copy or the original, along with a covering letter with your details as the sender. Please send the death certificate to Hargreaves Lansdown, One College Square South, Anchor Road, Bristol, BS1 5HL.
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Request for information
- The death certificate is returned to you, and we ask that you provide information of any potential beneficiaries. The checklist we send asks for a copy of the Will, and a Marriage certificate if it is applicable.
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HL Trustees Commitee
- We review your information and appoint beneficiaries.
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Options forms
- Once the trustees have nominated the beneficiaries of the SIPP, we will send an 'options form' to each appointed beneficiary.
- The options form will detail the available ways to inherit the SIPP: i.e. Beneficiary's Drawdown, Beneficiary's Annuity or a Lump Sum Withdrawal. The options available to you will depend on different variables.
- We action your closing instructions and provide confirmation of this to the acting representative. The deceased’s HL account will then be closed once administration is complete.
Freezing accounts
Once we’ve received a death certificate, all HL accounts in the deceased name will be frozen, and only the executor or administrator can sell any assets held.
Values will continue to change in line with normal market movements. Dividends will continue to be paid from investments and interest will be applied to any cash held.
This means there might be a difference between the account values initially given and the values when paid.
Making a difficult time a little easier
Dealing with the death of a loved one can be extremely hard. If you're also responsible for dealing with their finances things can get overwhelming.
Our guide can help you figure out who you need to contact, legal and financial things you need to sort and how to get authority to deal with the estate.
Frequently asked questions
Getting financial advice
If you’re not sure what to do with your inheritance, our advisers can give personal recommendations and help you to:
- Make the most of what your loved ones left you
- Meet your investment goals and increase your confidence
- Manage debts and taxes
Emotional support
Coping with grief can be really difficult. It’s important to make sure you have the support you need. National charities like these can help:
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE
Call: 0808 808 1677
SAMARITANS
Call: 116 123
CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK
Call: 0800 02 888 40
Emotional support
Coping with grief can be really difficult. It’s important to make sure you have the support you need. National charities like these can help:
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE
Call: 0808 808 1677
SAMARITANS
Call: 116 123
CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK
Call: 0800 02 888 40
Inheriting money
If you’ve been left any money or investments held in an HL account, it’s important you understand your options so you can make the best choices for your situation.
This includes:
- How you can withdraw or invest your inheritance
- Deadlines and tax rules that might affect your decisions
- Different savings and investment services that might interest you