What to do if…
you receive urgent mail about legal proceedings involving a person who died and deadlines are close

What to do now

1. Stabilise the facts in 5 minutes (so you don’t miss the clock).
   On the first page, find and write down: the court name, claim number, issue/served date, and the response deadline. Take clear photos/scans of every page and the envelope.

2. Check where the case sits in the UK system (don’t guess).
   Use what’s on the papers: an England & Wales County Court claim form is handled differently from (for example) Scottish sheriff court papers. Even if you’re unsure, still notify the court listed on the documents immediately and ask for the correct local process.

3. Work out who you are in relation to this (this changes what you can say/do).

   • If you are the executor/administrator (personal representative), find any proof you have (grant of probate / letters of administration, if already issued).
   • If you are not the personal representative (for example, a relative handling day-to-day tasks), you can still notify the court of the death — but be careful not to present yourself as representing the estate.

4. Contact the court immediately (same day if possible).
   Call the court office listed on the papers and say:

   • you received papers addressed to [name] who died on [date]
   • you need to know what the court requires next and how to avoid missing any deadline
     Ask the court to note the death on the file and tell you what they need and where to send it (email/post/online). Court staff can explain procedure and deadlines, but they cannot give legal advice. Record the time, the name of the person you spoke to, and what they told you.
     If you can’t get through by phone, send a brief email/letter the same day and keep proof you sent it.

5. Notify the claimant/their solicitor in writing (briefly, and keep a copy).
   Send a short email/letter to the contact on the papers:

   • state the person has died (date of death)
   • say whether a personal representative has been appointed (if known)
   • ask them to confirm they will pause/extend steps while the correct party is identified/substituted
     You can simply state the date of death and offer to provide proof if required. If you do share proof, use a copy, not an original.

6. If the papers are a County Court “claim form”, protect the deadline with a procedural response.
   Defendant replies to many claim forms are due quickly (often counted in days). Ask the court what procedural response is required and how to file it correctly (for example, an acknowledgment/defence response pack), and keep your wording factual: you are trying to avoid a deadline being missed while the death/representation issue is sorted.

7. If the death was in England or Wales, check whether a grant has already been issued (if relevant).
   If you’re unsure whether probate has been granted, use the official probate search to check whether a grant exists and (if needed) order a copy for administration purposes.

8. Get rapid, case-specific help if money, property, or serious sums are at stake.
   If the claim involves large sums, a home, or anything you don’t understand, contact a solicitor experienced in civil litigation/probate as soon as you can. If cost is a worry, start with a free advice service (for example, Citizens Advice) to clarify basics and next steps.