This information request relates to situations in which the authority is acting as a public deputy for an individual who lacks capacity, and that individual then dies.
The aim of the request is to gain further understanding of the processes and procedures which the council, and in particular the Deputyship Team, undertake following such a death.
It is assumed that there are written policies, internal guidance and officer instructions to cover the points raised below.
If the Council does not have a team that deals with deputyship/appointeeship; for individuals who lack capacity, this request will not be applicable so please respond with ‘nil return’ or ‘n/a’.
Please provide the name, job title and email address of the person who oversees the Deputyship Team.
Julian Partridge, Head of Exchequer, Charging for Care & Compliance, julian.partridge@devon.gov.uk
Has the council’s Deputyship Team used a heir hunter, tracing agent or genealogical researcher to trace relatives?
Yes
IF THE ANSWER TO QUESTION 2 IS ‘YES’, PLEASE ANSWER ALL OF THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
Which researcher is used?
Treethorpes, Estate Research, Finders
On how many occasions in the past 3 years has the Deputyship Team used a heir hunter to trace relatives?
Information not held.
How many times was the researcher used in respect of a client who was living?
Information not held
How many times was the researcher used in respect of a deceased person?
Information not held.
When the Court of Protection appoints the council a public deputy for an individual who lacks capacity and that individual subsequently dies, does the council’s Deputyship Team continue to hold and manage the funds belonging to the deceased until a Personal Representative (‘PR’) takes over the administration of the estate?
Devon County Council continue to hold funds until a PR commences administration of the estate. DCC cannot manage funds as it does not have any power to do so when client dies.
If not, please state to which department in the council the Deputyship Team transfers the funds and responsibility for the funds?
Not applicable
If the answer to the question above is that the Deputyship Team do continue to hold the funds pending appointment of a PR, please stipulate the statutory power to do so.
‘The death of P automatically ends the appointment of a deputy. The deputy is required to notify the OPG and provide evidence of the death. The deputy will liaise with the personal representatives of P’s estate to make information available to allow the personal representatives to administer P’s estate.’
I understand that where the deceased has lost contact with their family members there may be a period of time while relatives are being traced. During this intervening period, does the council department holding the funds and responsibility for the funds pay any of the following debts from the estate of the deceased
the cost of the funeral and any officer time spent arranging it?
Devon County Council will forward the funeral bill to the bank and it will be up to the bank to decide if they will pay it. We do not charge for any officer time involved.
mortuary costs?
Devon County Council have never been presented with a bill for mortuary costs.
any cost involved in tracing estranged nest of kin?
Devon County Council have never been presented with a bill for work involved in tracing estranged next of kin. This has always been completed with no cost to the Council.
other expenses payable following death such as house clearance or outstanding care home fees?
No, these have to wait until the estate is dealt with.
Does the council in any way charge the estate of the deceased for officer time spent on the following:
coordinating with solicitors?
No
instructing and communicating with genealogical researcher used to trace next of kin?
No
communication with any NHS Trust or care home (where applicable)?
No
communication with the district council, where a public health funeral is required?
No
I understand that where the individual lacking capacity dies and a notification of death is made, the Office of Public Guardians (‘OPG’) may request a final report on the estate from their appointed deputy.
From your records over the past 3 years, in what percentage of deputyships ending on the death of the client are these reports requested?
0%
When the Deputyship Team at the council prepares such a final report for the OPG, please clarify the following:
does the report end at the date of the service user’s death or, if not, for how long after the death does it extend?
Not applicable
does the final report include a record of funeral and mortuary costs deducted from the estate?
Not applicable
does it include other expenses paid from the estate by the council following the death such as final care home fees, house clearance, costs relating to tracing next of kin and/or officer time spent on things other than arranging the funeral?
Not applicable
In relation to the specific process of paying any outstanding fees or costs from the estate of the deceased:
please confirm which department or officer oversees this?
Not applicable
what is the policy for the assessment of such payments?
Not applicable
please provide copies of any and all written internal procedures, policies or other guidance documentation relating to this
Not applicable
When a PR is appointed to distribute the estate of the council’s former deputyship client:
please confirm whether the PR or the solicitor that is instructed for |Probate purposes are provided with a schedule of deductions that have been made.
Devon County Council will provide a letter confirming assets and liabilities as well as bills that have been authorised and paid by the bank.
If so, does this include every payment made by the council from the estate, including those made internally to other parts of the council?
Not applicable
from your records, on how many occasions in the past 3 years has the PR or their solicitor queried or challenged a payment made by the council from the estate, and on each occasion, what type of payment did this relate to?
Not applicable