Estate - order of payout

[enquirer]

An acquaintance is unsure of the order of priority for distribution.

Deceased died intestate.
Daughter acting as administrator.
Total value of estate a nominal £2500, so no probate required.
Funeral will be £1950.

Obviously, funeral expenses are settled first, but what of the other creditors? Is there a pecking order, or is it pro-rata? In no particular order, these are the bills:

DWP (£ unknown).
Gas (£ unknown).
Water (£ unknown).
Electric (£ unknown).
Council tax (£ unknown).
House clearance (approx £100).
Administrators expenses (approx £200).
Housing Association rent (£ unknown).
Warden charge (£ unknown).
Nursing Home (partially assisted only. Approx £860).

It's clear that the estate is going to go bankrupt, so there's going to be a row (the Health Authority have already tried to con the daughter into signing a document stating that she accepts personal liability for the debts of the deceased).

[MissFM]

Re: Estate - order of payout

Hi Enquirer

My understanding is that the first priority is the funeral and all costs (inc. administrative costs) relating to the death itself. If the executor is a professional ie solicitor or accountant, their fees would also be part of that priority.

The next would, as usual, be the taxman (so DWP and Council Tax would take precedent after the above).

Following that, AFAIK if there's any money left it would be apportioned Pro Rata as in any other insolvency.

I'm glad she has you as a friend to tell her not to be bullied into signing any documents indicating personal liability.:nono:

It may well be that, upon being informed of the death, many of the creditors will write off the debts.

This might be useful: http://www.insolvencydirect.bis.gov....Insolvents.htm

HTH x