The government funds the national administration, and all its services from the tax it collects. There never seems to be enough money to go around. Therefore it takes a final bite out of most estates in the form of probate fees, and inheritance taxes. INHERITANCE … [Read more...]
If the Executor of Your Will Dies What Happens Next?
It’s important to have someone you respect agree to be the executor of your will. That’s because you have an opportunity to discuss your intentions while you are alive, and make sure everything is crystal clear to them. They may even make suggestions where you could … [Read more...]
Applications for Probate on the Internet Are Still Chaotic
While the higher probate tax is on indefinite hold at least for now, the digital scheme it was supposed to help fund is still chaotic. The Register blew the cover on October 30, 2019, as the disgraceful treatment of mourners continued unabated. That’s because closing … [Read more...]
Resealing Probate What You Need to Know Before You Try
A grant of probate allows an executor to wind up a specific estate in a particular country. Many of Britain’s dominions and colonies adopted the legal principles of ‘their old country’ as they evolved to full legal independence. Resealing makes it potentially easier … [Read more...]
Stranger Things in Probate: The UK Chain of Representation
The Administration of Estates Act of 1925 established the chain of representation among other matters affecting estates. It established a rule that “An executor of a sole or last surviving executor of a testator is the executor of that testator” too. However, it went … [Read more...]
Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants Act of 1975 Judgement
The Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants Act (1975) allows UK courts to vary the distribution of the estate of a deceased person. Additional benefits may apply to any spouse, former spouse, child, child of the family, or dependant of that person. However … [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...]
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...]
Reasons Why You Might Need to Know Who Died First
This may seem a strange question but then probate has lots of unusual twists and turns. Let’s imagine a case - just for example - where two oldies became an item in a retirement home. While this may seem somewhat strange to youngsters, the fire of love often burns … [Read more...]
