Local Council Claiming for Payment after death

[Sue49740]

Hi
My Aunt passed away in February 2022, she had carers come in twice a day that was part funded by the local council. I have just received a letter claiming £650. There was no will and a small amount of money in her bank account to pay for her funeral. I informed the Council there is no will and no money. They now want a copy of the last bank statement and a receipt for the funeral. I disposed of all her paper work a month ago. Can they claim from a dead person. I am inclined to ignore any advice would be greater received Thank You

[dslippy]

I assume that you did not take out a grant in her estate. If so you have no obligation to do anything.

They can claim from her estate, but if she had nothing, there is nothing to claim against, and if there is no exector there is nobody to claim through.
Do not get into _any_ further conversation with them, there are small risks of having been 'executor de son tort' - ie if you sorted things out without apparent authority (beyond paying the funeral account) you might just be said to have taken responsibility.

[Sue49740]

Thank you