Insuristic has partnered with Inheritance Data to provide a Section 27 Notice placement service for our clients and website visitors. Insuristic does not receive any commission for this, it is just a service to help you.

Section 27 of Trustees Act 1925 gives the right to the trustees to safeguard themselves from any claims or liabilities while distributing or conveying a questionable property.

They can do so by publishing the Section 27 Notice in Gazette and local newspapers as per the specifications mentioned in the section.

The period of notice is set to 2 months within which any concerned person can convey their claim to the trustee.

Placing a Section 27 notice demonstrates that all steps have been taken to identify potential creditors prior to distributing estate funds.

Failure to place a Section 27 Notice could result in the Personal Representatives becoming personally liable for any potential liabilities to creditors of the estate.

• Official entry placed in the Gazette.

• Notice placed in local papers at request.

• Mitigate any risk from potential creditors.

What other Asset Searches might an Executor need to purchase?

• Certainty Will Search

• Digital Asset Search

• Financial Asset Search

• Liability Search

• NI Number Search

What is the purpose of a Section 27 Notice?

A: A Section 27 Notice protects the personal representatives (executors or administrators) of a deceased person's estate from potential liability for debts they weren't aware of. It does this by publicly announcing the death and the planned distribution of the estate, giving creditors two months to come forward and claim any debts owed to them.

It does not protect the beneficiaries.  So it is also advisable to purchase a Section 27 Insurance policy that can be arranged with or without a Section 27 Notice.  In fact, if you arrange a Section 27 Insurance policy you may save money by not having to arrange a notice.

How much is a Section 27 Notice?

A: The cost of a Section 27 Notice depends on several factors, including:

• Number of publications: Placing the notice in both the Gazette and local newspapers will generally be more expensive than just placing it in the Gazette.
• Length of the notice: Longer notices will cost more to publish.
• Chosen publication: Different publications may have different rates for legal notices.

What is the time limit for a Section 27 Notice?

A: There is no specific time limit for when a Section 27 Notice should be placed. However, it is generally recommended to place it as soon as possible after the death, typically within a few weeks. This gives creditors the maximum amount of time to come forward with their claims.

How long is a Section 27 Notice?

A: The length of a Section 27 Notice can vary depending on the information it needs to convey and the chosen format. Most notices are relatively short, containing essential details like the deceased's name, date of death, and how creditors can submit claims.

How much does it cost to put a death notice in The Gazette?

The cost of placing a Section 27 Notice via Inheritance Data currently starts at £85+ VAT and will increase depending if you need to advertise the death in multiple publications.  The Gazette has published a price list which may be useful.

Do you have to put probate in the newspaper?

A: There is no legal requirement to place a probate notice in a newspaper. However, doing so can be helpful in reaching any unknown creditors who may not have seen the Gazette notice. It is ultimately a decision for the personal representatives to make.

When should I place a deceased estates notice?

A: Ideally, you should place a deceased estates notice (which can be a Section 27 Notice) as soon as possible after the death, typically within a few weeks. This gives creditors the maximum time to come forward with their claims before the estate is distributed.

Do I have to place a deceased estates notice?

A: While not legally required, placing a deceased estates notice is strongly recommended. It protects the personal representatives from potential liability for unknown debts and helps ensure a smooth administration of the estate.

As we have said above, you can choose not to place a Section 27 notice if you purchase a Section 27 Insurance policy  without placing one.  The insurance would protect any executors, personal representatives and beneficiaries from claims from unknown creditors after the estate has been distributed.

How long do creditors have to claim against an Estate in the UK?

A: Creditors will have 2 months from the date of the Section 27 notice to notify the estate of their claim.  They may be able to recover a debt once the 2 month period is up, or if a statutory notice has not been served.  This will depend on the circumstances and is likely to involve a Creditor needing to claim against the individual beneficiaries rather than the Estate if the funds have already been distributed.