Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Ford Money is a savings-only bank (a trading name of FCE Bank plc, part of Ford Motor Company). It will generally release savings without requiring a grant of probate where the balance held is below approximately £15,000. Above this threshold, a grant of probate or letters of administration is required before funds can be released.
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Ford Money applies a probate threshold of approximately £15,000 for its savings accounts. Where the total balance held is below this amount, Ford Money can deal with the estate using a small-estate indemnity process — releasing funds without the executor needing to obtain a full grant of probate from the court.
Ford Money is an online-only savings bank and does not operate current accounts. All products are fixed-rate or easy-access savings accounts, which simplifies the estate administration process compared to banks that offer a broader range of products. For a broader view of how UK probate thresholds compare, see our guide to the 2026–27 UK probate threshold.
If you are uncertain whether probate is needed for the estate as a whole, our guide on when you don't need probate explains the circumstances in which it can be avoided.
For estates below £15,000:
For estates above £15,000:
Our guide to documents needed for probate and the estate administration checklist will help you keep track of requirements across multiple institutions.
Ford Money handles bereavement cases through its customer service team:
Ford Money will freeze the account upon notification and advise on next steps. For broader guidance on notifying multiple financial institutions, see our guide on notifying banks after a death.
As of 2026, Ford Money does not participate in the Death Notification Service (DNS). This means you will need to contact Ford Money directly and separately from any DNS submission you make for other institutions. Ford Money is also not covered by the government's Tell Us Once service.
Ford Money does not currently participate in the Direct Payment Scheme (DPS). This means that if the estate has an inheritance tax liability, the executor will need to fund the IHT payment from other sources before applying for probate. Our guide on probate delays and IHT interest covers the risks of late payment. See our 2026–27 inheritance tax guide for the current rates and allowances.
For estates below the £15,000 threshold, Ford Money typically processes claims within two to four weeks of receiving the required documentation. For estates requiring probate, processing begins once the sealed grant is received — adding the time to obtain probate (typically three to six months) to get the full timeline.
Our complete UK probate guide for 2026 covers the full timeline in detail.
Where the total Ford Money balance is below approximately £15,000, the bank can release funds via a small-estate indemnity. Ford Money is a savings-only bank, so estates typically consist of a single savings account — making the documentation process relatively straightforward compared to banks with multiple account types.
If Ford Money holds the main asset in the estate, check whether any other institutions require probate before deciding whether to apply. See when you don't need probate for the full picture, and our DIY probate vs solicitor cost guide if you do decide to apply.
Probate needed if estate has property or over £50K. Joint accounts exempt. Check bank thresholds: HSBC £50K, smaller banks £15K.
Step-by-step probate application process, forms needed, costs, and typical timeframes for grant of probate.
Situations where probate isn't required, including small estates, joint assets, and nominated beneficiaries.
Step-by-step guide to notifying banks after a death in the UK. What documents you need, how to access funds before probate, joint accounts, funeral payment releases, and full timeline.
Triodos Bank's probate threshold is approximately £25,000 (as of 2026). Learn what documents Triodos requires, how to contact their bereavement team, and how long fund release takes.
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