Docaro

Estate Inventory Document Sources In The United Kingdom

Created:
This dataset helps readers identify reliable sources for estate inventory documents, supporting asset tracing, probate research, and record validation. Explore the wider AI Generated British Inventory of Assets category for related UK estate inventory resources.
Information Type
Details Usually Provided
Where to Find It
Reliability Level
Practical Notes
HMRC estate valuation guidance
Tax, Financial, Property
Explains assets, debts and date-of-death valuation approach for estate reporting.
GOV.UK HMRC guidance pages.
High
Use as framework
evidence still needed for each asset and liability.
Inheritance Tax account IHT400
Tax, Financial, Property, Business
Detailed assets, liabilities, gifts, exemptions and relief claims.
Executor files, solicitor papers, HMRC form collection.
High
Shows reported figures, but supporting valuations should be retained.
Excepted estate Inheritance Tax return
Tax, Financial, Property
Summary estate values where full IHT400 is not required.
Probate application papers, solicitor file, executor records.
High
May contain less detail than an IHT400
verify individual assets.
Grant of probate or letters of administration
Personal Records, Financial
Confirms personal representatives and may show gross and net estate values.
Probate registry, executor papers, GOV.UK probate search.
High
Useful summary only
not a full itemised inventory.
Will and codicils
Personal Records, Financial, Property, Business
Specific gifts, executors, trustees and clues to assets or business interests.
Home safe, solicitor, bank storage, will storage provider.
Medium
May be outdated and rarely lists all assets.
Death certificate
Personal Records
Date of death, identity details and registration information.
Family papers, register office, GRO certificate order service.
High
Establishes valuation date but not assets.
Marriage or civil partnership certificate
Personal Records, Tax
Spouse or civil partner identity relevant to exemptions and survivorship checks.
Family records, register office, GRO service.
High
Check separation, divorce or remarriage records where relevant.
Divorce final order or decree absolute
Personal Records, Financial, Property
Confirms divorce status and may lead to financial order records.
Court papers, solicitor files, HMCTS copy order service.
High
Financial orders may reveal pensions, property and settlement obligations.
HM Land Registry title register
Property
Registered owner, title number, tenure, charges and restrictions.
HM Land Registry online property information service.
High
Confirms ownership but not current market value.
HM Land Registry title plan
Property
General boundaries and land included in the registered title.
HM Land Registry property information service.
High
Plans show general boundaries
check deeds for detail.
Unregistered property title deeds
Property
Historical conveyances, ownership chain, mortgages, easements and covenants.
Home deeds packet, solicitor, lender, bank storage.
High
May require conveyancer review before relying on ownership position.
District Valuer Services guidance
Property, Tax
Independent valuation services and valuation support for public sector and tax contexts.
Valuation Office Agency guidance and professional valuation reports.
High
Useful where property value may be scrutinised by HMRC.
Estate agent market appraisal
Property
Indicative sale value, comparable sales and local market comments.
Local estate agents, executor correspondence, valuation emails.
Medium
Obtain multiple appraisals
not equivalent to formal RICS valuation.
RICS Red Book valuation report
Property, Tax
Professional market valuation, assumptions, comparables and valuation date.
Chartered surveyor report, solicitor or executor file.
High
Best for valuable, unusual or disputed property.
Mortgage redemption statement
Financial, Property
Outstanding mortgage balance, interest, charges and redemption figure.
Lender, online mortgage account, solicitor or home paperwork.
High
Request balance at date of death, not current balance only.
Lease or leasehold information pack
Property, Financial
Lease term, ground rent, service charges and management obligations.
Deeds, managing agent, landlord, solicitor file.
High
Arrears and short lease terms can materially affect value.
Council tax bill
Property, Financial
Property address, billing authority, account holder, arrears or credit.
Post, council online account, bank payments, local authority.
Medium
Does not prove ownership
check Land Registry or deeds.
Utility bills and final statements
Financial, Property
Gas, electricity, water, broadband balances, credits and account numbers.
Post, email, supplier portals, bank statements.
Medium
Final bills may change after meter readings and closure.
Bank current account statements
Financial
Balances, transactions, standing orders, direct debits and account numbers.
Paper files, online banking, bank branch, email alerts.
High
Request balance and accrued interest at date of death.
Savings account statements
Financial
Account balance, interest, account type and maturity dates.
Bank correspondence, passbooks, online banking, tax certificates.
High
Include accrued interest to date of death where provided.
Building society passbook
Financial
Savings balances, transactions and account identifiers.
Home drawers, safe, document box, handbag or wallet.
Medium
Passbook may be outdated
confirm with institution.
Cash found at home
Financial
Physical sterling or foreign currency held by the deceased.
Wallets, safes, drawers, cupboards, deposit boxes.
Medium
Record count, location, witnesses and exchange rate if foreign currency.
Credit card statements
Financial, Digital Records
Outstanding balance, recurring payments, refunds and merchant clues.
Post, email, card provider app, bank direct debits.
High
Check pending transactions, interest and payment protection refunds.
Personal loan agreement and statement
Financial
Outstanding loan balance, lender, term, interest and security details.
Loan paperwork, online lender account, bank payments.
High
Ask lender for exact date-of-death settlement balance.
Overdraft facility records
Financial
Overdrawn balance, arranged limit, charges and interest.
Current account statements and bank correspondence.
High
Treat overdrawn balances as estate liabilities.
NS&I Premium Bonds and savings records
Financial
Premium Bonds, savings certificates, income bonds and account values.
NS&I correspondence, prize notices, online account, tracing request.
High
Check for unclaimed prizes and all NS&I products.
Investment platform statement
Financial
Funds, shares, ISAs, cash balances, valuations and account numbers.
Platform portal, emails, annual tax packs, adviser files.
High
Request date-of-death valuation and income accrued but unpaid.
Share certificates
Financial, Business
Company name, shareholder name, number and class of shares.
Home files, safe, solicitor, registrar correspondence.
Medium
Confirm current holding with registrar
certificates may be obsolete.
Dividend vouchers and tax statements
Financial, Tax
Shareholdings, dividends paid, tax year and registrar details.
Post, email, tax files, investment platform documents.
Medium
Shows income, not necessarily full holding at death.
Share registrar holding statement
Financial, Business
Registered shareholdings, nominee details, transfers and dividend mandates.
Registrar such as Equiniti, Computershare or Link Group.
High
Useful where paper certificates or old dividend vouchers exist.
London Stock Exchange historic prices
Financial, Tax
Quoted share prices around the date of death.
LSE website, broker reports, financial data providers.
High
Use HMRC valuation rules for quoted securities where applicable.
ISA statements
Financial, Tax
Cash ISA, stocks and shares ISA, accrued interest and investments.
Bank, platform, provider portal, annual statements.
High
ISA tax status changes after death
obtain provider figures.
Pension scheme statements
Financial, Tax
Scheme type, death benefits, nominations, fund value and dependants benefits.
Pension provider, employer HR, emails, annual benefit statements.
High
Some pension death benefits fall outside the estate
check scheme rules.
Pension Tracing Service results
Financial, Personal Records
Contact details for workplace or personal pension providers.
GOV.UK Pension Tracing Service.
Medium
Identifies providers only
providers confirm benefits and values.
DWP State Pension and benefits letters
Financial, Personal Records
State Pension, benefits, overpayments or arrears due to estate.
Post, online account, bank credits, Tell Us Once follow-up.
High
Check for recoverable overpayments and arrears after death.
Life insurance policy documents
Insurance, Financial
Policyholder, sum assured, beneficiaries, trust status and premiums.
Policy schedule, bank payments, insurer emails, adviser files.
High
Policies in trust may not form part of the estate inventory value.
Home contents insurance schedule
Insurance, Property
Insured contents value, specified jewellery, art and valuables.
Policy folder, insurer portal, email, broker correspondence.
Medium
Insured value may be replacement value, not probate market value.
Vehicle V5C log book and insurance
Property, Insurance
Vehicle details, registered keeper, insurer and policy information.
Vehicle documents, DVLA records, insurer portal, glovebox.
Medium
Registered keeper is not always legal owner
check finance agreements.
Vehicle finance agreement
Financial, Property
Outstanding finance, ownership terms, settlement figure and vehicle details.
Finance company, bank payments, car purchase file, emails.
High
Hire purchase or PCP may mean the estate does not own the vehicle outright.
MOT history record
Property
Vehicle mileage, test history and registration details.
GOV.UK MOT history service using registration number.
Medium
Supports valuation but does not prove ownership.
Companies House company records
Business, Financial
Directorships, share capital, filings, accounts and persons with significant control.
Companies House online register.
High
Does not always show exact beneficial ownership or current value.
Private company register of members
Business, Financial
Legal shareholders, share classes, transfers and share numbers.
Company statutory books, accountant, company secretary, registered office.
High
Key evidence for private company shares
valuation may need accountant.
Company accounts and management accounts
Business, Financial, Tax
Assets, liabilities, profit, reserves, director loans and trading position.
Companies House, accountant, accounting software, company files.
Medium
Historic accounts may not show date-of-death market value.
Partnership agreement
Business, Financial
Profit shares, capital accounts, death provisions and buyout terms.
Business files, accountant, solicitor, partners.
High
Check whether death triggers automatic transfer or valuation formula.
Sole trader accounts
Business, Financial, Tax
Business assets, debts, stock, debtors, creditors and goodwill clues.
Accountant, bookkeeping software, tax files, business premises.
Medium
Stock and equipment may need separate market valuation.
Self Assessment tax returns
Tax, Financial, Business
Income sources, rental income, dividends, interest and business profits.
HMRC online account, accountant files, tax software, paper records.
High
Good lead source, but asset capital values are often absent.
P60, P45 and payslips
Tax, Financial, Personal Records
Employment income, tax deducted, employer and unpaid salary clues.
Employer payroll, HMRC account, home tax file, emails.
High
Check final salary, bonus, holiday pay and death-in-service benefits.
HMRC personal tax account
Tax, Financial, Personal Records
Tax codes, PAYE income, pension income and HMRC correspondence.
HMRC online services, accountant, executor correspondence with HMRC.
High
Access may require executor authority and HMRC bereavement process.
Tenancy agreements and rental statements
Property, Financial, Tax
Rental property, tenants, deposits, rent arrears and management fees.
Letting agent, landlord files, emails, bank receipts.
High
Check deposit protection, arrears and landlord liabilities.
Tenancy deposit scheme record
Property, Financial
Protected deposit amount, property, tenant and scheme details.
Deposit scheme portal, letting agent, tenancy paperwork.
High
Tenant deposit is usually a liability, not estate money.
Funeral invoice and receipt
Financial
Funeral costs paid or payable by the estate.
Funeral director, family payer, bank records, executor file.
High
Keep receipts and identify who paid before reimbursement.
Care home or home care invoices
Financial, Personal Records
Care fee arrears, credits, deposits and local authority contributions.
Care provider, local authority, bank payments, family files.
High
Check final invoice and any deferred payment agreement.
Local authority deferred payment agreement
Financial, Property
Care cost debt secured against property and accrued interest.
Local authority adult social care, property title, solicitor file.
High
May create secured estate liability affecting net property value.
NHS continuing healthcare correspondence
Financial, Personal Records
Funding decisions, reviews, refunds or care cost liabilities.
NHS integrated care board, care files, family correspondence.
Medium
Potential claims or refunds may be uncertain and slow.
Jewellery valuation certificate
Property, Insurance
Description, gemstones, metal, insurance value and photographs.
Insurance file, jeweller, safe, valuation folder.
Medium
Insurance valuation may exceed open market probate value.
Art, antiques and collectibles appraisal
Property
Item descriptions, provenance, condition, photographs and estimated value.
Valuer, auction house, insurance schedule, home inventory.
Medium
Use specialist valuation for rare or high-value items.
Auction house probate valuation
Property, Financial
Estimated auction values for household contents and collectibles.
Local auctioneer, specialist auction house, executor file.
Medium
Sale proceeds may differ after fees, VAT and market changes.
Safe deposit box inventory
Financial, Property, Personal Records
Contents such as documents, jewellery, cash, deeds or certificates.
Bank, private vault provider, key tags, payment records.
Medium
Open with provider procedure and record contents carefully.
Solicitor client file
Personal Records, Property, Financial, Business
Will, deeds, trusts, settlements, litigation and asset correspondence.
Known solicitor, successor practice, SRA intervention records.
Medium
File may be archived, incomplete or subject to identity checks.
Accountant file
Tax, Financial, Business
Tax returns, accounts, rental schedules, capital gains and business assets.
Accountant, tax software, emails, invoices from accountancy firm.
Medium
Accountant records are strong leads but may rely on client information.
Financial adviser portfolio file
Financial, Insurance, Tax
Investments, pensions, insurance policies, risk profile and providers.
Adviser firm, emails, annual review packs, fee statements.
Medium
Confirm values directly with product providers.
Trust deed and trust accounts
Financial, Property, Tax
Trust assets, trustees, beneficiaries, powers and tax treatment.
Solicitor, trustees, family papers, accountant.
High
Trust assets may be outside the estate but relevant for IHT.
Lasting power of attorney records
Personal Records, Financial, Property
Attorney details and possible prior asset management records.
Office of the Public Guardian, attorney files, solicitor.
Medium
Authority ends on death, but attorney records may identify assets.
Court of Protection deputyship accounts
Personal Records, Financial, Property
Annual accounts of assets, income, spending and liabilities.
Deputy, Office of the Public Guardian, solicitor files.
High
Very useful where deceased lacked capacity before death.
Lifetime gifts schedule
Tax, Financial, Property
Gifts, dates, recipients, values and exemptions for IHT review.
Bank statements, solicitor files, tax records, family correspondence.
Medium
Review at least seven years and gifts with reservation issues.
Gift with reservation evidence
Tax, Property, Financial
Evidence that donor continued to benefit from gifted asset.
Deeds, occupation records, bank payments, family agreements.
Medium
Can bring gifted property back into IHT calculation.
Foreign bank and property records
Financial, Property, Tax
Overseas accounts, property, investments, income and local tax liabilities.
Foreign bank papers, local lawyers, tax returns, emails.
Medium
May require local probate, currency conversion and specialist tax advice.
Cryptocurrency wallet and exchange records
Digital Records, Financial, Tax
Crypto holdings, wallet addresses, exchange balances and transaction history.
Exchange apps, hardware wallets, seed phrase storage, emails.
Medium
Access depends on private keys
preserve devices and recovery phrases.
Password manager vault
Digital Records, Financial, Personal Records
Logins for banks, investments, utilities, cloud storage and subscriptions.
Devices, browser extensions, emergency access documents.
Medium
Use only with lawful authority and provider terms.
Email account records
Digital Records, Financial, Insurance, Business
Provider notices, statements, policy emails, invoices and online accounts.
Laptop, phone, webmail, family access information.
Low
Useful for leads
verify directly with institutions.
Cloud storage folders
Digital Records, Personal Records, Financial
Scanned IDs, statements, contracts, tax files and inventories.
Google Drive, iCloud, OneDrive, Dropbox, devices.
Low
Documents may be drafts or outdated
confirm originals or providers.
Mobile phone and computer apps
Digital Records, Financial, Personal Records
Banking apps, investment apps, wallets, subscriptions and contacts.
Deceased personu0027s phone, tablet, laptop, backups.
Low
Preserve devices
avoid unauthorised access or account changes.
Online marketplace seller accounts
Digital Records, Business, Financial
Seller balances, stock, sales, refunds and customer liabilities.
eBay, Amazon, Etsy, PayPal, Stripe, emails.
Medium
Check pending disputes, platform holds and tax reporting.
PayPal and payment app statements
Digital Records, Financial, Business
Balances, linked bank accounts, sales receipts and transfers.
Payment apps, emails, bank statement links, marketplace accounts.
High
Request official date-of-death balance from provider where material.
Subscription and membership accounts
Digital Records, Financial
Recurring charges, refunds, credits, licences and service commitments.
Bank statements, app stores, email receipts, account portals.
Low
Mainly useful for stopping payments and identifying digital accounts.
Social media account records
Digital Records, Personal Records, Business
Business pages, marketplace activity, contacts and stored media.
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, account emails, devices.
Low
Usually a lead source
account access depends on platform rules.
Private loan notes and IOUs
Financial, Personal Records
Money owed to or by the deceased, repayment terms and borrower details.
Home papers, emails, messages, bank transfer references.
Low
Enforceability and recoverability may need legal assessment.
Litigation or compensation claim file
Financial, Personal Records, Business
Potential claims, settlements, costs liabilities and court orders.
Solicitor, insurer, court papers, emails.
Medium
Value may be contingent and should be recorded separately.
Individual Insolvency Register search
Financial, Personal Records
Bankruptcy, debt relief orders or IVAs affecting assets and debts.
GOV.UK Individual Insolvency Register.
High
Insolvency may affect who controls assets and creditor priority.
Credit reference agency file
Financial, Personal Records
Loans, credit cards, mortgages, addresses and linked accounts.
Experian, Equifax, TransUnion, executor request processes.
Medium
Good for discovering debts
balances must be confirmed with lenders.
Royal Mail redirection post
Personal Records, Financial, Insurance, Tax
Incoming statements, demands, policy renewals and asset correspondence.
Redirected post to personal representative or family address.
Low
Discovery tool only
verify with original providers.
Tell Us Once confirmation
Personal Records, Tax, Financial
Government bodies notified about death, including HMRC, DWP and DVLA.
Registrar information, Tell Us Once reference, executor notes.
High
Notification service, not a full inventory or valuation source.
Death Notification Service submission
Financial, Personal Records
Notifies participating banks and financial institutions of death.
Death Notification Service website and confirmation emails.
Medium
Only covers participating organisations
still contact known providers.
My Lost Account search results
Financial
Possible dormant bank, building society and NS&I accounts.
My Lost Account online tracing service.
Medium
Search result is a lead
institution confirms ownership and balance.
Reclaim Fund and dormant asset information
Financial
Information on reclaiming dormant account money transferred to scheme.
Original financial institution or Reclaim Fund information.
Medium
Usually start with the bank or provider, not directly with estate inventory.
Employer benefits and death-in-service records
Financial, Insurance, Personal Records
Salary due, pension, death-in-service cover and employee benefits.
Employer HR, payroll, benefits portal, employment contract.
High
Death-in-service benefits may be discretionary and outside estate.
Employment contract
Personal Records, Financial, Insurance
Employer, benefits, share schemes, bonus, notice and insurance cover.
Home files, work email, HR portal, employer records.
Medium
Terms may have changed
verify with employer.
Employee share scheme statements
Financial, Tax, Business
Options, restricted shares, SAYE, SIP holdings and tax treatment.
Employer, share plan administrator, payroll, online portal.
High
Death may trigger exercise deadlines or special scheme rules.
Farm accounts and agricultural property records
Business, Property, Tax
Land, livestock, machinery, tenancies, subsidies and relief evidence.
Farm office, accountant, land agent, tenancy files.
Medium
Agricultural relief claims need detailed occupation and use evidence.
Business relief evidence file
Business, Tax, Financial
Business assets, ownership period, trading status and relief eligibility.
Accountant, company records, partnership documents, tax file.
Medium
Relief depends on facts
investment businesses may not qualify.
Intellectual property registrations and royalty statements
Business, Financial, Digital Records
Copyright royalties, trademarks, patents, licences and royalty income.
IPO registers, publisher statements, licence agreements, emails.
Medium
Ownership and future income may need specialist valuation.
UK patent register record
Business, Financial
Patent owner, application status, renewal history and inventors.
UK Intellectual Property Office patent search.
High
Register confirms rights but not commercial value.
Domain name registrar account
Digital Records, Business, Financial
Domain names, renewal dates, website ownership and hosting links.
Registrar emails, hosting account, password manager, WHOIS lookup.
Medium
Valuable domains or income websites may need specialist valuation.
Family court financial order
Financial, Personal Records, Property
Maintenance, lump sums, property adjustment and pension sharing obligations.
Court papers, solicitor file, former spouse correspondence.
High
Outstanding obligations or rights may affect estate liabilities.
Travel, health or accident insurance claim
Insurance, Financial
Possible claim proceeds, medical costs, repatriation or cancellation refunds.
Policy documents, insurer emails, bank payments, travel files.
Medium
Claim value may be uncertain until insurer accepts liability.
Prepaid funeral plan
Financial, Insurance, Personal Records
Plan provider, covered funeral services and unused balance or shortfall.
Plan documents, funeral director, bank payments, provider correspondence.
High
Check FCA-authorised provider and exact services covered.
Premium Bonds prize history
Financial
Unclaimed prizes and recent Premium Bonds winnings.
NS&I prize checker, holder number, NS&I correspondence.
High
Prizes due to the deceased may be estate assets.
Charitable donation and Gift Aid records
Tax, Financial
Donation history, regular payments and possible legacy intentions.
Bank statements, charity receipts, tax returns, emails.
Medium
May help identify regular gifts and IHT charity legacy issues.
Purchase receipts for valuables
Property, Financial, Insurance
Purchase date, item description, price and seller details.
Receipts folder, email, warranty cards, insurance file.
Medium
Purchase price may not equal date-of-death value.
Warranties and appliance receipts
Property
Household goods, electronics, purchase dates and possible resale value.
Home files, email receipts, retailer accounts.
Low
Useful only where contents are material or separately gifted.
Student Loans Company statement
Financial
Student loan balance and repayment status.
SLC online account, payslips, HMRC records, letters.
High
Most UK student loans are cancelled on death
confirm with SLC.
HMRC Inheritance Tax Manual quoted shares guidance
Tax, Financial
Technical approach to valuing quoted shares for IHT.
HMRC internal manual on GOV.UK.
High
Use for method
obtain market data for actual securities.
Administration of Estates Act 1925
Personal Records, Financial, Property
Legal framework for administration of estates in England and Wales.
Legislation.gov.uk.
High
Legal context only
not an asset source.
Inheritance Tax Act 1984
Tax, Financial, Property, Business
Statutory basis for IHT charges, transfers, reliefs and exemptions.
Legislation.gov.uk.
High
Technical legislation
use alongside HMRC guidance or advice.
Non-Contentious Probate Rules 1987
Personal Records, Financial
Rules governing non-contentious probate applications and grants.
Legislation.gov.uk.
High
Procedure source
does not identify estate assets itself.

What Records Are Most Useful For Preparing A UK Estate Inventory?

Start with official and third-party statements: bank, investment, pension, mortgage, Land Registry, insurance and HMRC records are usually the most reliable evidence for an estate inventory. Household paperwork and family notes are useful leads, but should normally be checked against providers or public registers.

Which Values Matter For Probate And Inheritance Tax?

For UK estates, values should normally be gathered at the date of death. Assets and liabilities may need evidence for probate and Inheritance Tax reporting, including bank balances, share prices, property valuations, debts, lifetime gifts and jointly owned assets. HMRC guidance on valuing an estate is a key source: https://www.gov.uk/valuing-estate-of-someone-who-died.

Where Should Personal Representatives Look First?

  • Property: Land Registry title registers, mortgage statements, leases, council tax bills and estate agent or RICS valuations.
  • Money and investments: bank statements, online accounts, dividend vouchers, investment platform statements and NS&I records.
  • Debts: credit card statements, loan agreements, utility bills, HMRC correspondence and funeral invoices.
  • Digital and hidden assets: password managers, email accounts, device records, cryptocurrency wallets and online marketplace accounts.

What Cautions Apply When Using These Sources?

Some sources show ownership but not value, while others show value but not legal ownership. Joint accounts, jointly owned property, nominated pensions, trust assets and business interests may need separate treatment. Personal representatives should keep copies of evidence, record assumptions and obtain professional valuations where assets are material, unusual or likely to be challenged.

Estate Inventory Document Sources
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FAQs

It identifies reliable UK sources of information for preparing an estate inventory, including asset records, liability evidence, valuation documents, and estate administration guidance.
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References and Information Sources