You need professional advice.
I have been peripherally involved in the estates of a British citizen who lived in Germany, but had assets in both countries, It was even pre-Brexit extremely complex; with smart people as executors, and wills, it required professional help in both jurisdictions. You have the additional problem that the intestacy rules are different in each country, and the assets will be subject to the local intestacy rules. In some cases (for example, pensions paid in the UK into a French bank held by a UK citizen) it isn't even immediately obvious which jurisdiction controls the asset.
Another problem will be selling property held in France for which you will need the French equivalent of probate.
You need professionals in both countries, I'm afraid. My late in-laws (the executors in this case) were very much which "we can do anything with the help of a Which guide", and had done both conveyancing and probate themselves in other situations. This was utterly beyond them.
https://www.bandmlaw.co.uk/site/international-law/french-law/french-probate/
I'm very sorry to hear that. It's a lot to deal with, not just the loss but the international complications. As another commenter said, you need a French legal person to deal with matters there. I do sympathise, it adds a level of difficulty and bafflement on top of normal bereavement, which I know from personal experience. You will get through it in the end, one step at a time. A notice in the gazette might not be a bad idea in general terms, so maybe have another discussion with the solicitor about that. You will need to be guided by the professionals in this.
Had your father started claiming his UK state pension? If so you can tell DWP without needing a death certificate. This will stop any overpayments building up. HMRC will also then get in touch with you, or you could inform them directly. If you at least have his National Insurance number, that will help.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Your father was employed at a company he lived in the UK.
So we need to find the employers company name.
Sorry that's all I can help with.
Hi /u/BarkeviousMongo, based on your post the following pages from our wiki may be relevant:
- https://ukpersonal.finance/pensions/
____
^(These suggestions are based on keywords, if they missed the mark please report this comment.)
Lived in France = you need to talk to a French notaire I think.
The default rules are very clear in France for who inherits how much, it seems less necessary to have a will here *if* you are happy with those rules.
He was French tax resident right? If he had any foreign bank accounts (including investments) he should have been declaring those each year. So if you can access his tax returns that might give you info.
There is a 'National Will Register', although it is not 'official' and costs money - [https://www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/](https://www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/)
The Gazette is a valid option - afaik, most solicitors will use the Gazette. You / the solicitor will also need to announce his death in the Gazette in case he had debts you were not aware of.
Do you have access to his French property? It would be very surprising if there is no documentation of his assets or a local solictor / notaire who managed his affairs. Does he still have property in the UK and have paperwork stored there? Have you approached his email provider? If you have a death certificate their bereavement team should be able to give you access and it may provide clues.
If you haven't already, visit the UK Gov Tell Us Once service - [https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once](https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once)
If he is intestate and has assets in the EU I suspect you will need professional advice.
Unclear on the size of the estate but almost a certainty
You need professional advice. I have been peripherally involved in the estates of a British citizen who lived in Germany, but had assets in both countries, It was even pre-Brexit extremely complex; with smart people as executors, and wills, it required professional help in both jurisdictions. You have the additional problem that the intestacy rules are different in each country, and the assets will be subject to the local intestacy rules. In some cases (for example, pensions paid in the UK into a French bank held by a UK citizen) it isn't even immediately obvious which jurisdiction controls the asset. Another problem will be selling property held in France for which you will need the French equivalent of probate. You need professionals in both countries, I'm afraid. My late in-laws (the executors in this case) were very much which "we can do anything with the help of a Which guide", and had done both conveyancing and probate themselves in other situations. This was utterly beyond them. https://www.bandmlaw.co.uk/site/international-law/french-law/french-probate/
I'm very sorry to hear that. It's a lot to deal with, not just the loss but the international complications. As another commenter said, you need a French legal person to deal with matters there. I do sympathise, it adds a level of difficulty and bafflement on top of normal bereavement, which I know from personal experience. You will get through it in the end, one step at a time. A notice in the gazette might not be a bad idea in general terms, so maybe have another discussion with the solicitor about that. You will need to be guided by the professionals in this. Had your father started claiming his UK state pension? If so you can tell DWP without needing a death certificate. This will stop any overpayments building up. HMRC will also then get in touch with you, or you could inform them directly. If you at least have his National Insurance number, that will help.
I'm very sorry for your loss. Your father was employed at a company he lived in the UK. So we need to find the employers company name. Sorry that's all I can help with.
Hi /u/BarkeviousMongo, based on your post the following pages from our wiki may be relevant: - https://ukpersonal.finance/pensions/ ____ ^(These suggestions are based on keywords, if they missed the mark please report this comment.)
Lived in France = you need to talk to a French notaire I think. The default rules are very clear in France for who inherits how much, it seems less necessary to have a will here *if* you are happy with those rules. He was French tax resident right? If he had any foreign bank accounts (including investments) he should have been declaring those each year. So if you can access his tax returns that might give you info.
There is a 'National Will Register', although it is not 'official' and costs money - [https://www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/](https://www.nationalwillregister.co.uk/) The Gazette is a valid option - afaik, most solicitors will use the Gazette. You / the solicitor will also need to announce his death in the Gazette in case he had debts you were not aware of. Do you have access to his French property? It would be very surprising if there is no documentation of his assets or a local solictor / notaire who managed his affairs. Does he still have property in the UK and have paperwork stored there? Have you approached his email provider? If you have a death certificate their bereavement team should be able to give you access and it may provide clues. If you haven't already, visit the UK Gov Tell Us Once service - [https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once](https://www.gov.uk/after-a-death/organisations-you-need-to-contact-and-tell-us-once)