Coping with the loss of a loved one is never easy, and managing financial matters during such a difficult time can feel overwhelming. At Liontrust, we’re here to support you and help make handling your loved one’s investments as straightforward as possible. On this page you will find guidance on what to do following a bereavement if your loved one held a Liontrust investment.
Managing Liontrust Funds After a Bereavement
If a loved one who held Liontrust Funds has passed away, there are three key steps to follow. Below is a brief overview of what each step involves to help guide you through the process.
If the person who passed away invested through a platform or financial adviser, please reach out to them first to begin this process.
Step 1: Notify Us of the Bereavement
To begin the process, please let us know that a Liontrust fundholder has passed away so we can register and verify the death. You can do this using one of the following methods:
- Email: Send a message along with a PDF copy of the death certificate to: bereavement@liontrust.com
- Phone: Call us on 0344 892 0349 (If you are overseas, please email bereavement@liontrust.com)
- Post: Please send the original death certificate along with the following details:
- Full name, address, date of birth, and Liontrust client reference number of the deceased
- Name, address, date of birth, and contact details of the person submitting the certificate
- The return address for the death certificate
Please ensure the original death certificate and a covering letter are included with your documents.
We recommend sending your documents by recorded delivery to:
The Estates Team
Liontrust Fund Partners LLP
373/9RQ
11B Lingfield Close
Lingfield Point
Darlington
DL1 1AX
Alternatively, you may send them by standard mail to:
The Estates Team
Liontrust Fund Partners LLP
PO Box 373
Darlington
DL1 9RQ
Step 2: Get Probate – Confirm Legal Authority to Manage the Estate
Before we can proceed, we’ll need to confirm who has the legal responsibility for administering the investor’s estate. This is typically done through probate.
Depending on the total value of the estate—including any investments held with Liontrust—we’ll require either a Grant of Representation or a Small Estates Form.
Grand of Representation: Grant of Representation refers to a Grant of Probate, Letters of Administration, Confirmation (for Scottish residents), or equivalent legal documents issued in other countries that have been resealed in England.
Small Estates Form: If the total value of your loved one’s estate is £35,000 or less and you are not applying for probate, you can complete and submit a Small Estates Form instead.
To confirm probate, please send us a signed letter of authority either directly or through the solicitors representing the individual who has passed away. If the estate qualifies, you may alternatively submit a completed Small Estates Form.
Applying for Probate
You can apply for probate yourself online at www.gov.uk/applying-for-probate, or you may choose to appoint a solicitor to apply on your behalf. It typically takes around two months to receive a Grant of Representation, though this may vary depending on the complexity of the estate.
To support your application, we can provide:
- A date of death valuation
- Details of any income distributions due at the date of death but not yet paid
Inheritance Tax must be settled before a Grant of Representation can be issued. Please note that we are unable to release any investment proceeds to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) or to anyone managing the estate until we have received the Grant of Representation.
Step 3: Choose How to Proceed with the Investments
Once probate has been confirmed, the final step is for the beneficiaries to choose how they would like to proceed with the inherited investments. There are three options available:
- Invest into a new account
- Transfer the investments into a new name
- Sell the investments and receive the proceeds in cash
We’ll guide you through whichever option is chosen to help ensure the process is as smooth as possible.
Need More Support? We're Here for You
If you’d like to speak to someone about the next steps, please call 0344 892 0349. If you are overseas, please email bereavement@liontrust.com.
Helpful Resources
GOV.UK – Tell Us Once: Notify multiple government departments (e.g. HMRC, DWP, DVLA) in one go.
GOV.UK – What to do when someone dies: Step-by-step guidance on registering a death, arranging a funeral, and handling the estate.
Citizens Advice – What to do after a death: Practical advice on legal and financial steps, including dealing with property and money.
Age UK – What to do when someone dies: A checklist covering registration, funeral arrangements, and managing finances.
MoneyHelper – Dealing with death: Guidance on probate, pensions, and managing money after someone dies.
National Bereavement Alliance: Support with bereavement. Links to grief counselling, peer support groups, and resources for different communities.
Cruse Bereavement Support: Free, confidential support for anyone grieving a loss.
Samaritans – We're here to listen: Free, confidential support for anyone struggling to cope.