I saw this in the library today while I was picking something else up, and with my "professional" hat on (Probate lawyer here) I thought it might be worth a quick look to see if there might be any little nuggets of wisdom that I could offer when helping clients in the earliest stages of their loss. And if nothing else, it never hurts to go back to basics!

The vast majority of the guidance is regarding the first steps after a bereavement; registering the death and arranging the funeral. It's written in clear, concise language that could be easily digested by someone struggling with loss, but in places there are quick changes in direction that might throw someone off. Likewise, there is a lot of information here that isn't strictly necessary to know unless you aren't using a funeral director,  which is quite rare. There are some useful bits in here about deaths abroad and non-Christian practices though, which I'll definitely be noting down for future reference.

As the processes differ in each country of the UK, guidance for each is included within. However, it's not brilliantly set out, so it would be very easy for a layperson to pick up on the wrong information. I'd have perhaps split the book into sections, starting with the general advice for all areas of the UK, and then going round each country and setting out the specifics. 

Although the book claims to be the 2024 edition, I was concerned by several points that don't appear to be up to date - there's a section about Scotland that still refers to an office being shut because of the pandemic, and the timescales they quote for the issue of the Grant of Representation are laughably optimistic (4 weeks! I can't remember the last time I received a Grant that quickly!). Similarly, there are an awful lot of typos and bad grammar littered throughout - IMO, it really does need going over again by a proof-reader/editor. 

I can absolutely appreciate that I'm looking at what is supposed to be a basic guide through the jaded eyes of someone who has been working in Probate for over a decade, and so I'm definitely seeing holes and a few cases of wince-inducing suggestions where a layperson would just see a source of help. But while there is useful information in here, I'm not entirely sure someone would pick up the little tidbits that actually make a difference (i.e. when is a good time to put a property on the market). And in places where they're advising people download forms and complete paperwork themselves to renounce their executorship, transfer property etc, it REALLY needs a note that suggests independent legal advice be sought before action is taken.