Guides
Short explainers on wills, funerals, estate administration and probate. Written by the Willow team to help you navigate the next steps.
What is the order of inheritance without a will?
The intestacy rules work like a queue: spouse first, then children, parents and siblings. Who inherits what without a will — and who gets nothing.
3 min read
How to read a will after death
There is no formal will reading in England and Wales. Who may see the will before probate, how a will is laid out, and how to get a copy once it is public.
3 min read
What to do if the deceased had a funeral plan
How to find out whether a funeral plan exists, what it covers, and what to do if another funeral director is already involved.
3 min read
How much does a funeral cost?
A simple attended funeral averages £3,828, a direct cremation £1,628. What drives the price, how to compare funeral directors, and help with the cost.
3 min read
How to close a UK business when the owner dies
There is no single process — it depends on whether they were a sole trader, partner or company owner. The steps for each, and the trap for sole directors.
4 min read
How to minimise the risk of fraud after death
Identity fraud against the dead is common enough to have a name. The free registers, notifications and precautions that close the window quickly.
3 min read
What tax do you pay on death?
Most estates pay no tax at all. How inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax work on death — thresholds, exemptions and the charity discount.
4 min read
Do I need a solicitor for probate?
There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor for probate. When professional help earns its fee, when to do it yourself, and the happy medium.
3 min read
Do I need probate if my spouse dies?
Often, no. Whether you need probate depends on what your spouse owned and how they owned it — not your relationship. How to check in a few phone calls.
3 min read