A Guide To Placing Deceased Estates Notices In The Gazette

If you are an executor or administrator of a Will, you are responsible for dealing with any claims against the estate. After you receive a grant of probate, Section 27 of the Trustee Act 1925 recommends that you place something called a deceased estates notice in The Gazette and a local newspaper to find creditors who may be owed money by the estate. This article looks at what deceased estates notices are, why they are important and how to place one in the UK’s Official Public Record, The Gazette.

What is a deceased estates notice?

A deceased estates notice, sometimes called a Trustee Act notice or Section 27 notice, is an advertisement to all potential creditors (people owed money) and beneficiaries (people who inherit from an estate) that they need to come forward to make a claim against a deceased’s estate before it is distributed. The notice contains:

• The deceased’s name
• The deceased’s address
• The deceased’s date of birth
• The deceased occupation
• Details of the estate’s executor/administrator

Deceased estates notices are also sometimes referred to as ‘statutory advertisements’ and can also be placed in a newspaper local to the deceased.

Why are deceased estates notices important?

It can often be difficult to know the full extent of a person’s credit history and identify all companies or persons who are owed money from the estate. For example, there can often be outstanding finance on household goods or a ‘buy now pay later’ credit agreement. These companies would be able to pursue a claim to the estate and would require payment prior to the estate being distributed.

Placing a deceased estates notice demonstrates legally that enough effort has been made to find creditors before distributing an estate to its beneficiaries. This protects the executor/administrator from being personally responsible for money owed to any unidentified creditors.

What happens after a deceased estates notice is published?

Once a notice has been published in The Gazette, claims against the estate must be made within two months of the notice being published in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and within six months in Scotland.

What is The Gazette?

The Gazette is the UK’s Official Public Record and dates back to 1665. It holds millions of public notices including insolvency, deceased estates, government and state notices.

How do you place a deceased estates notice? You can place a deceased estates notice on The Gazette website and you can also use The Gazette to place an advertisement in a newspaper that is local to the deceased.