This is the term used to cover everything that needs to be done to deal with an estate. It involves establishing the assets and debts of the estate.
The estate’s money or assets are used to pay off any bills or loans that are left (including inheritance tax, funeral costs and the costs of dealing with the estate administration).
Remaining assets are distributed according to the Will. If there is no Will, then the estate gets paid according to the rules that say who inherits in these circumstances (known as the Rules of Intestacy).
The tax affairs of the person who has died will also need to be finalised.