What is an inquest?
When a loved one dies, an inquest may be required to determine how their death came about. Some possible reasons for an inquest could be because the death was unnatural, unexplained or as a result of an accident. The Coroner’s Office will want to establish who the deceased was, when they died, where they died and how they died.
Guiding you through the inquest process after the loss of a loved one
An inquest is not designed to apportion blame, it is a fact-finding exercise for the coroner in order to be able to give an affirmative cause of death for the death certificate. Witnesses may be called by the coroner, which can include family members, doctors or anyone who may have relevant information (such as social services). Once the coroner has heard the evidence, they will give their conclusion.
Personal representatives of the deceased might be concerned about administering the estate whilst there is an inquest into the death. It is possible for a coroner to provide an interim death certificate that can be used to notify banks and organisations in the meantime.
An interim death certificate can be used to apply for a Grant of Representation, meaning that the probate process can begin without the death having been registered. This is an important element to consider if you are intending to contest probate because there is a limited time frame to make certain claims against the estate.
An inquest into the death of a loved one can be an extremely emotional and difficult process, and care and consideration should be given to the preparation of your witness evidence. Our Contested Probate team is experienced in dealing with these highly sensitive matters and can advise and support you in navigating the process.
For more information on how we can help you, please contact us.
