There are three categories of fixed property in England, and within that numerous types, making the English system relatively complex compared to many other countries. This situation dates back to feudal times, when the crown owned all the land, but granted it to … [Read more...]
Is This a Good Time to Sell a House?
Is this a good time to sell a house in England? This may be a burning question if you are an executor of a deceased estate. Or perhaps inherited a property you don’t want to keep any more. We unpack the evidence with the comment that the English property market is … [Read more...]
Giving Our Chattels to Executors
Chattels include movable personal possessions that may range from executive jets to collections of teaspoons, and much more besides. Our executor may refuse to list all of them in our will, even though our heirs may squabble over the details. Giving our chattels to … [Read more...]
When You Should Not Give A Chattel
A chattel is a personal possession that you own and you can touch. You could take it with you when you go somewhere else. Therefore it follows you should be able to sell it, or give to someone so it becomes their own. However, there are times when you should not give a … [Read more...]
Personal Chattels In Intestate Estates
Most people who die nowadays leave a will, dictating what happens to their possessions when they die. It’s a simple matter to draw up a final testament nowadays, what with all the free templates available on the internet. All should go well if they follow the procedure … [Read more...]
The Chain of Property Ownership in Estates
Most property transactions in England and Wales appear in the UK Land Registry, although registration is not mandatory. Executors may have to look elsewhere, especially in the case of older transactions. Following the chain of property ownership in estates may lead to … [Read more...]
Selling Chattels Without Grant of Probate
We have had several inquiries lately regarding the legality of selling chattels without probate. The arguments are generally along the lines of the last will and testament being the parent document. Whereas the grant of probate simply rubber-stamps the decision, some … [Read more...]
The Digital Assets Bill Before Parliament
The Digital Assets Bill before Parliament is still stuck at the second reading stage in the House of Commons. Although we hope the draft will eventually become law, as we all need more legal clarity on these matters. The preamble to the bill reads 'to make provision … [Read more...]
Managing Property in a Deceased Estate
Managing and dealing with probate property valuation in a deceased estate is the often complex task of the executor. or the administrator. This complexity is not surprising, given that ‘property’, in the broader sense, includes everything the deceased owned when they … [Read more...]
How UK Inheritance Tax Works on Property
We regularly receive inquiries about how UK inheritance tax works in deceased estates, and decided it was time to post an update. The value of an entire estate is potentially subject to this tax. And this includes any gifts the deceased made during the seven years prior … [Read more...]
