Losing a close family member or friend can be one of life's most difficult experiences. Understanding English probate property sales can be a challenge too, unless you understand the principles. We wrote this article to help you understand how probate affects you in … [Read more...]
What Counts as a Personal Chattel When Somebody Dies?
What counts as a personal chattel when somebody dies, is everything they owned, could touch and move, and could go with them when they moved elsewhere on earth. When they died they obviously could not take them with them. Their family now faces an important question: … [Read more...]
Updating Property Records in a Deceased Estate
An executor of a deceased estate, who may be an inexperienced family member, has the task of unraveling the deceased's possessions. They must first determine what they owned at the moment of their death, and then dispose of the items legally and correctly. We focus on … [Read more...]
The Value Of An Estate for Probate
Probate is a somewhat-dated legal term referring to the process for closing out estates. However, only the net value will pass to the heirs after HMRC has taken its inheritance tax slice. The value of an estate includes everything the person owned at the time their … [Read more...]
How Chattels and Gains Tax Work
A chattel is a tangible asset that you own, that you can physically touch and move around. This means it forms part of your estate, and is potentially liable for inheritance tax when you die. But some chattels are exempt, which is why it is essential to understand how … [Read more...]
Valuing Chattels and a House for Probate
You have to get permission (solicitors call it probate) before you can wind up a deceased estate. The UK government will not provide this permission, until any inheritance tax due is settled. HMRC calculates this duty based on the value of the estate. This post … [Read more...]
Dealing With the Affairs of a Deceased Person
In times past an estate meant everything under the control of a noble, even the village and church buildings. Nowadays it includes the deceased’s personal possessions, money, investments, and everything else they own. Dealing with the affairs of a deceased person … [Read more...]
How to Calculate UK Inheritance Tax Correctly
Inheritance tax is a toll the UK government levies on deceased estates within its ambit. An executor, or another responsible person is legally obliged to make a full and honest account. Should they fail to do so, and the government is out of pocket then it could hold … [Read more...]
Making a Will – Is It a DIY Job in England and Wales?
Making a will is a smart thing to do if you want to save your survivors time and trouble. And perhaps, depending on your circumstances make sure your executor knows who you would like to inherit your wealth. It also provides an opportunity to legally manage any estate … [Read more...]
Late Roman Pearls Turn Up in Southampton Probate
Southampton has an interesting history, being on the Channel coast and open to invasion by the likes of Romans and Vikings. Buried hoards of their jewellery turn up from time to time to the delight of museums. This has spawned a generation of optimists pottering with … [Read more...]
