The True Cost of Disorganised Death: Far More Than Money
Most people assume that the hardest part about dealing with a loved one’s death is the grief. But if you ask anyone who has been an executor, they will tell you that grief is just the beginning. Without a clear map in place, managing someone’s estate can become a long, expensive and emotionally exhausting process. This is the situation millions of families in the UK find themselves in every year and it will affect all of us with family at some stage. We’ve been digging into the real cost of disorganised estates. Not just in monetary terms, but in lost time, the impact on relationships and, that blanket term, peace of mind. So here’s what we found:
Money First: The Financial Case for Getting Organised
Over the next five years, it’s estimated that 1.29 to 1.4 million people in the UK will die with estates valued above £325,000; the threshold at which inheritance tax (IHT) can start to bite. These estates mostly require formal probate and most families pay solicitors to handle it. And the costs add up quickly:
£325k–£1m - Solicitor costs £3,000–£9,000
Over £1m - Solicitor costs £10,000–£50,000 (avg ~£15,000–20,000)
If even a fraction of these families could handle probate themselves or just avoid paying for full solicitor services, the savings would be enormous. To do that the admin MUST be available, thorough and well organised. Our estimate? Up to £1.2 billion in potential annual savings for UK families if everyone chose to find a way to DIY their loved one’s estates. Clearly this won’t happen because solicitors can be necessary, but that is a huge number. And that’s without considering delays, legal disputes, or avoidable taxes.
The NOTA:BENE System is designed to make that kind of DIY or streamlined probate possible. But financial savings are only part of the story.
Beyond the Bank Account: The Silent Toll of Disorganised Estates
Families don’t just lose money when affairs aren’t in order, they also lose time, trust and often precious memories. Here are just a few of the ways things can go wrong:
· Hundreds of Hours Lost to Admin - Executors typically spend over 400 hours dealing with an estate.
· Even ‘simple’ estates can take 6–12 months to administer. With missing paperwork think years. It can be like having a second part-time job while grieving.
· Locked Out of Digital Lives - 60% of people don’t record their passwords or account access anywhere. Cue lost photos, emails, cloud files and online accounts. Families may struggle to access iCloud, Google, PayPal, home smart devices, etc.
· Memories Vanish - Without clear guidance sentimental items disappear in house clearances, unlabelled photos, personal notes, family recipes - all gone or worse; families fight over them.
· Strained Relationships & Family Fallout - 28% of families report conflict during probate, especially when wills are vague or wishes are unclear. Without written guidance, minor disagreements spiral into lasting damage.
· Mental Load & Decision Fatigue - Executors are often adult children already juggling work, parenting and caregiving. Without a system, they face an overwhelming series of treasure hunts, decisions and forms, often while emotionally loaded. The result can be anxiety and burnout with grief that never quite gets dealt with.
Peace of Mind Is the Greatest Gift
Organising your life admin is about more than taxes and legal forms. It’s about sparing the family from pain, confusion and conflict when what they need is support.
The NOTA:BENE System was built for exactly this purpose.
It helps you document the key details your family will need, including your wishes and assets, your passwords and precious keepsakes.
Know WHAT exists, WHERE to find it and HOW to access it.