After a relatives death what do you need to do with documents

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Mamamia22

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A close relative has died recently. Their tax affairs were straightforward with a small work pension and their old age pension and allowances etc. I’m wondering what to do with documentation related to revenue, bank statements, medical expenses. Their bank account is closed etc House is sold. Is it safe to shred everything or what if anything should be retained ? It’s a paper mountain and is making me think of my own stuff. Is anything older than 7 years generally best shredded and forgotten about ? The whole process of what happens after you pass away is making me want to do an epic clear out.
 
Mamamia22 said:
A close relative has died recently. Their tax affairs were straightforward with a small work pension and their old age pension and allowances etc. I’m wondering what to do with documentation related to revenue, bank statements, medical expenses. Their bank account is closed etc House is sold. Is it safe to shred everything or what if anything should be retained ? It’s a paper mountain and is making me think of my own stuff. Is anything older than 7 years generally best shredded and forgotten about ? The whole process of what happens after you pass away is making me want to do an epic clear out.
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Condolences on your loss.

I wouldn't destroy anything. I've seen people destroy stuff like that in similar circumstances and later bitterly regret it. I'd seal it all and put it away somewhere from which it can be retrieved if necessary. Maybe in a decade or so consider destroying it then.
 
Thank you. Why did they regret it was it needed ? I won’t get rid of it all. Will keep recent tax correspondence and utilities. Bank statements go back 10 + years I don’t think I’ll need all that given that account is closed.
 
Mamamia22 said:
Thank you. Why did they regret it was it needed ?
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I don't wish to say as in some of those situations I was acting in a professional capacity.
Mamamia22 said:
I won’t get rid of it all. Will keep recent tax correspondence and utilities. Bank statements go back 10 + years I don’t think I’ll need all that given that account is closed.
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I can only reiterate my earlier advice. If for example you destroy 10 years + of bank statements, you will have a mountain to climb to recover them if eg someone later alleges that the deceased owed them money, or if there is an unexpected Revenue query.
 
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I would spend a morning in front of a scanner and keep at least an electronic record of absolutely everything.

For a deceased relative I've had to prove an estate sale occurred as part of a money-laundering check and also residence via utility bills to prove that the NPPR charge wasn't due.
 
Box it all up and put it away. I've seen cases where people thought probate was closed and suddenly another bank account was found or where it turns out some bill wasn't paid and was still thought to be owing.
 
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