need help with probate (without will) to do with my father's passing away.

[Juliano]

Last year I received a telephone call from the council asking me my identity. it turns out that it was my father who had passed away in a nursing home, and they found my name through the electoral registry. I was estranged from him, and so was not in much contact. They said they needed costs for his funeral and being his only son would I be willing to pay it.

I said I would if he had left any money I could reimburse the money, so then they went through a long process of getting i touch with his bank*. They later get on touch, and I find I need to fill in a probate form. The nursing home sent me his death certificate, but cannot find any will. So I had a look at the probate form which is for there not being a will This one:
* https://assets.publishing.service.go...0/pa1a-eng.pdf

ALL I know his the information on his death certificate. I am finding the understanding of how to fill in this form stressful. Can anyone give me some easy to ingest advice how I might proceed with it. I believe when you just deal with the government in doing the probate the cost is about £200 odd. Solicitors fees are much more, and like I say, ALL I know is the information on his death certificate and that he died in the nursing home.*
All advice very welcome...

[des8]

If your father left no will, you may need to obtain a grant of letters of administration.
However if your fathers estate is small and doesn't include real property (eg house) stocks and shares you might not need the letters.