Picture this. An aged relative has died and left you their entire estate in their will. However, there’s not much to it except a large tract of land in the south of England. Developers would break a leg to get their hands on it. But there’s only one problem. The HM Land … [Read more...]
Stranger Things in Probate: The Rules of Intestacy You May Not Like
If you are living woman to man, man to woman, woman to woman or man to man or whatever else takes your fancy, watch your step in so far as probate goes. For if you are not formally married - or have a registered civil partnership - and one of you dies without a will the … [Read more...]
Buying or Selling Property from a Deceased Estate? Read this First
A young couple popped by the other day looking quite distraught. They had signed an agreement with a little old lady to purchase her house. All was looking good and they were ready complete when they learned she passed away unexpectedly. “Can we still buy our house,” … [Read more...]
The Round Pounds in Your Drawer and Other Tasty Hoards
Britain’s round pound coin appears to have retained nostalgic value after the twelve-sided one replaced it. During its realm the Queen’s portrait changed four times, and there were various special issues. The round coins are now going through the final stage of their … [Read more...]
Could a Sole Executor Close Out an Estate?
People in the UK are generally more prepared for the death that overcomes us all eventually. At least that’s according to Will Aid as posted in Today’s Wills and Probate e-magazine. The number of people ‘with their affairs is order’ now stands at 50%. That’s up from 47% … [Read more...]
Autonomy over Financial Affairs is a Widow’s Reasonable Right
The UK Court of Appeals upheld a widow’s right to autonomy over her financial affairs. Their July 2019 judgment follows a year of wrangling between the widow and her late husband’s trust. An inactive charitable charity added another twist to the tale. The Essence of … [Read more...]
The Tell-Tale Signs of an Emerging Hoarder Revealed
Three million of us ‘officially’ hoard in the UK although that may only be the top of the iceberg. The NHS finally admitted to the reality in 2013 although it had been going on for a long time. People regularly buried silver coins in fields in the wild days before … [Read more...]
Conflicts between Next of Kin and Executors
Misunderstandings are a feature of UK probate when next of kin and executors don’t understand how the legalities work. The former may rightly believe they own the deceased’s entire estate. However, the executor must first obtain the necessary clearances to hand it … [Read more...]
UK Inheritance Tax – What You May Need to Know
Inheritance tax is due on the value of the estate of a person who has died. It’s best not to try to avoid this step. That’s because the probate office will not agree to the distribution account without seeing an inheritance tax receipt. However, there may be a … [Read more...]
Do the British Have a Natural Inclination to Hoard?
Are we a nation of hoarders? A whiff of a hard Brexit suggests this could be a response to anxiety. The Guardian says a quarter of UK voters are stockpiling tinned food, toilet paper, and medicines. They have also been delaying big ticket purchases and travel … [Read more...]
