When a loved one dies, families are often left to navigate not only grief but also a complex legal and administrative process known as estate administration.

While the subject is something most people prefer not to think about, understanding how the process works, and what steps must be taken, can make an already difficult time significantly less stressful.

Estate administration is the process required to deal with a person’s affairs after their death. It starts with identifying their assets and debts and culminates with ultimately distributing their estate to their beneficiaries.

This process applies whether or not the deceased has left a will. The existence of a valid will usually makes matters more straightforward, but even then estate administration is rarely quick or simple.

In the days after a death, there are practical steps that families or loved ones should follow:

• Register the death and obtain a death certificate

• Locate the original will, if one exists, and identify the named executor and beneficiaries

• Plan the funeral

• Secure property including personal possessions

Before an estate can be administered or dealt with fully, legal authority must usually be obtained from the court.

This is a formal process in Bermuda requiring detailed information about the deceased’s estate. Unfortunately, delays are common, particularly where the documentation is incomplete or the estate is complex.

Once formal authority is granted by the court by way of issuing a grant of probate (if the deceased has left a will) or letters of administration (if a will has not been located) the executors or administrators are able to formally deal with the estate.

Before beneficiaries receive their entitlement, the estate must first settle its liabilities, expenses and costs of administering the estate. This is one reason why distributions are rarely immediate and why beneficiaries should be cautious about expecting quick access to funds.

After debts and expenses are paid, the remaining assets can be distributed. Where there is a will, the assets are distributed in accordance with the terms of the same. If there is no will, Bermuda’s intestacy rules determine who inherits.

Many estates can take years to complete. While these delays are frustrating, they are often unavoidable without proper planning.

Beyond the legal fees, poor or absent estate planning can carry hidden costs, prolonged delays for families to receive funds, increased stress at a time of grief, and disputes that can permanently damage relationships.

In many cases, these costs are avoidable. A clear up-to-date will and organised records can reduce significantly the expense and emotional strain.

Estate administration is a necessary process, but it does not need to be an overwhelming one. Taking the time to prepare a properly drafted will, reviewing it if your circumstances change, and ensuring loved ones know where the documents are stored can make an enormous difference.

Ultimately, good estate planning is less about paperwork and more about easing the burden on those left behind.

• Dalia Sainsbury is a senior associate in Appleby’s private client and trusts practice in Bermuda. A copy of this column can be obtained on the Appleby website at www.applebyglobal.com. This column should not be used as a substitute for professional legal advice. Before proceeding with any matters discussed here, persons are advised to consult a lawyer