After a loved one goes missing, their financial affairs roll on. Utilities must still be paid or there is a chance they might lose their home. After a storm breaks a windowpane, someone must to repair it. However the missing person’s bank cannot compensate them because … [Read more...]
The Big ‘Probate Mystery’ Unravelled
Probate has cropped up in the UK news lately, what with the government changing the system and having computer problems implementing it. Brexit has been a huge distraction too. The polemic over probate fees is still not solved although the overall rules haven’t changed. … [Read more...]
Probate in the Royal Family Versus Choosing a Guardian
The Sun published a robust article on this controversial topic. We decided to attempt a more balanced version of how the law dictates royals - and the Queen in particular – should respond to a death in their immediate family. This has become more relevant given the … [Read more...]
Probate Contents Valuation-Art Hoard Of 100 Paintings In Epsom Property
Art Hoard Of 100 Paintings In Epsom Property A recent probate contents valuation took me to a property in Epsom, and having taken on the appraisal at short notice I had no idea of the nature of the contents to be valued. After collecting the keys from the probate … [Read more...]
What is Probate and How to Do It in England and Wales?
Probate is an old-fashioned word meaning ‘something proven’, in this case the intentions of a person leaving a will. In fact, much of our UK law around succession has strong overtones to days when marriage was sacrosanct, and the church was responsible for what happened … [Read more...]
An Overview of What Being an Executor Implies
You are legally responsible for the assets of a deceased person if you are appointed the executor of their estate, and there is a legal will. There may be other executors of course, including the solicitor who drafted the will, and the late person’s spouse or trusted … [Read more...]
How Intestacy Rules Apply Where There Is No Will
Intestacy refers to the situation of an estate when the deceased person left no will (or diligent effort failed to find their testament). If there is a will, but it only mentions a few assets then the balance of that estate is intestate too. However, either of … [Read more...]
What to Do After a Loved One Dies (Part 2)
This is the second post in a three-part series about handling the paperwork after a loved one died, and entrusted the sad task to you. You may have never actually spoken about it. However as their partner you have decided it is your sad duty to follow through. We … [Read more...]
Did the UK Wills Act of 1837 Pass Its Use-By-Date?
The year 1837 was an interesting, even a momentous one. Any British schoolkid may remember that was the year Victoria became United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Queen, and Defender of the Faith. The government launched an enquiry into the possibility of … [Read more...]
What to Do After a Loved One Dies (Part 3)
This is the third and final post about closing out a loved one’s estate. In our imagination your partner passed away leaving you to tidy up what they left behind. However, our advice is broad-reaching and should apply to almost every estate in the UK, and further … [Read more...]
