Losing a loved one
When you've lost someone, financial arrangements will be the last thing on your mind. We're here help. Talk to us and we’ll make the process as simple as possible.
Get in touch
When you're ready, call our Specialist Bereavement Team on 0800 028 0691. We'll help you figure out what to do with their accounts.
What to expect
We’ll ask you for details about the person that’s died and your relationship to them. If you haven’t found a will, don’t worry, we can still help. If you have any questions, you may want to make a list and we'll do our best to answer them all.
We’ll also need to speak to the executor or next of kin. If that’s you, then you’ll need:
- The death certificate
- Proof of your identity
When you call us, we’ll let you know the other types of identification we accept.
Call us
Sometimes, it’s easier to talk on the phone. We can usually handle the entire process on the call and we’ll walk you through everything you need to know.
Call us on 0800 028 0691 Lines are open 8am - 8pm, seven days a week.
+44 (0)1244 757 230 If you are calling from outside the UK.
What happens next?
During our conversation, we’ll take the time to support you, talk you through each stage and make sure we understand exactly what you need. Then, we’ll go ahead and make any relevant changes.
Then we’ll tell these brands in Lloyds Banking Group so you don’t have to:
- MBNA
- Halifax
- Lloyds Bank
- Bank of Scotland
- Scottish Widows
- Clerical Medical
- Birmingham Midshires
You’ll still need to tell any other banks. You can do this with the free Death Notification Service.
As we handle your case, if we need any more information, we'll let you know.
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1. Should I contact MBNA after someone dies?
We need to speak to one of these people:
- The executor named in the will
- Next of kin
- Representative (if there’s no will) When you call us, we’ll ask for your ID – we do this to make sure you’re the right person to handle this process.
2. How do I pay for the funeral and other urgent expenses?
If the deceased has money in their account, it can be used for:
- Inheritance tax
- The funeral
- Probate fees
- Confirmation fees
3. What happens to an outstanding personal loan?
If the loan was just in the name of the person who died and they had money in other accounts, we’ll talk to you about your options. If the loan was in joint names, the other person named in the loan needs to keep making the monthly payments.
4. What happens to credit cards?
Additional cardholders won’t be able to use their card anymore. If the person who died had money to pay off on their credit card, we'll contact you and let you know your options. Usually, we use the banking or saving balances they have with us to pay this off. If their card is covered by credit card repayment insurance, we’ll tell you how to make a claim and what to do with the cards. When the balance is paid, we close the account.
5. Can I tell you online?
If you’re not ready to talk to us yet, you can start the process with an online form. Then when you're ready, we can help you finish the rest.
6. How do I get a death certificate?
When someone dies, you’ll get a medical certificate which shows the cause of death. If you take this to a registrar of births, deaths and marriages, they'll give you a death certificate. You need this when you talk to many companies to prove someone has actually died. Ask for more than one copy of this because you'll have to show it a few times.
Sometimes, the cause of death isn't known. If this is the case, the coroner will give you an interim certificate. It will confirm a death has happened and you can use it instead of a death certificate.
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Assets
Any property or possession with monetary value.
Beneficiary
Anyone that gets something from the Estate.
Estate
The total sum of assets left after all debts have been paid.
Executor
The person named in a will to carry out the wishes of the person who has died.
Intestate
The term used when the person has died without a will in place.
Letters of administration
This is a document that lets you deal with the deceased's estate. You'd get this if there isn't an executor.
Liabilities
This is any debt the deceased has. Or any cost an executor has had to pay while handling the estate.
Personal Representatives
As a group, executors and administrators are called personal representatives.
Trust
A trust is when you hold money or property for someone else. Normally, people do this for children until they're old enough to handle their money.
Will
A legal document that says who benefits from the estate and in what way. It also names an executor. This is the person who carries out the wishes in the will. If there is no will, it's called intestate.
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Gov.uk
For help with what to do after someone dies visit: www.gov.uk/after-a-death
For information on reporting a death, wills, probate or inheritance tax visit: www.gov.uk/browse/births-deaths-marriages/death
Death Notification Service
When someone dies, you can tell many companies at the same. Visit: www.deathnotificationservice.co.uk
Probate
To apply for powers to process the will in England and Wales: Call: 0845 302 0900 or visit www.gov.uk/wills-probate-inheritance
To apply for powers to process the will in Scotland: Apply at your local sheriffs court Call: 0131 334 0380 or visit: www.mygov.scot/confirmation/
HM Inheritance Tax
For help with tax issues.
Call: 0845 30 20 900
or visit: www.gov.uk/inheritance-tax
Citizens Advice Bureau
For legal help or to get contacts for counselling: Visit: www.adviceguide.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
For general information, counselling and support. Call: 0808 808 1677 or visit: www.cruse.org.uk
The Bereavement Register
You can use this to take the deceased’s name and addresses off mailing lists or other databases. Call: 0207 089 6403 or visit http://www.thebereavementregister.co.uk/.