Probate is a legal process that has to be carried out at what can be a very distressing time. It can be tempting to simply “get it done” as quickly as possible. This offer the best chance to close the chapter and carry on with life. But it is important to take the … [Read more...]
Tips for Administering Probate in a Potentially Insolvent Estate
There have been several cases recently of large-scale abuse of vulnerable people by famous names. Some of these left large sums of money although post mortem law suits exceeded these amounts. There’s new official guidance from The Law Society on how to administer … [Read more...]
How to Lay Claim to An Unclaimed Estate
When a person dies without a will in England or Wales, and there are no known blood relatives, the assets pass to the Crown as 'ownerless property'. This ‘bona vacantia’ as it’s quaintly called in Latin (meaning unclaimed goods) could be any possession from a … [Read more...]
How to Apply for a Grant of Probate on Your Own
Even if a person quite close you passes on, you may still need government permission before you dive in, empty their house, and share out their possessions. That because the administration wants to see fair play. You probably need to get a Grant of Probate, even if … [Read more...]
How Much Can I Expect my Estate to Pay for Probate?
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...]
