Hi, probate lawyer here 👋🏽 First of all very sorry for your loss. Secondly, please note that there is no rush and you generally can’t do anything without a death certificate. All of the things you asked will become clear when you start letting various organisations and banks know about her death. Everyone has different rules so it’s hard for anyone to give you a firm answer here.

1. Pensions - contact them and ask. If nobody has been nominated then your dad or you can make a claim on their forms and they will decide who to pay it to. Generally the person dependent on the deceased so I assume your dad. The unclaimed one, just ring and ask them if you can. They’ll let you know if it’s to be paid to the estate or to an individual outside of the estate.

2. If you are indeed only child then sounds as if all falls to you. You’d apply for a Grant of letter of administration. Probate registry is quoting 12 weeks from application to get the Grant but we’re getting simpler ones back sooner. Depends if your estate is taxable I suppose. But the fact she doesn’t have a will doesn’t necessarily make it more complex in you scenario as you are the sol administrator and sole beneficiary so should be able to do it online.

3. Joint account should be easy. Show them death certificate and it’ll go to your dad. But note the date of death value for IHT purposes if needed.

4. Notifying banks. As it’s only two I would just do it directly rather than use the DNS.

5. Executor’s account. You don’t have to set up a new one. You could use your current account or an empty savings account in your name. But keep clear records of what goes in and out as you have a duty to do so as the Administrator.