AfterWe don’t always find exceptional items when carrying out probate valuation in Milton Keynes, and other new towns in Buckinghamshire. However we often find something interesting enough to sell for the executors at auction. Take my visit to Milton Keynes to do an … [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...]
Valid and Invalid Wills – The Pitfalls to Avoid
Wills are called ‘last testaments’ for good reason. That’s because once we die, there is nothing we can do to change them from ‘the other side’. We tackle the question of what makes a will invalid today. Or put differently, how to make sure we leave a valid will. For … [Read more...]
Stranger Things in Probate: The Rules of Intestacy You May Not Like
If you are living woman to man, man to woman, woman to woman or man to man or whatever else takes your fancy, watch your step in so far as probate goes. For if you are not formally married - or have a registered civil partnership - and one of you dies without a will the … [Read more...]
Buying or Selling Property from a Deceased Estate? Read this First
A young couple popped by the other day looking quite distraught. They had signed an agreement with a little old lady to purchase her house. All was looking good and they were ready complete when they learned she passed away unexpectedly. “Can we still buy our house,” … [Read more...]
Autonomy over Financial Affairs is a Widow’s Reasonable Right
The UK Court of Appeals upheld a widow’s right to autonomy over her financial affairs. Their July 2019 judgment follows a year of wrangling between the widow and her late husband’s trust. An inactive charitable charity added another twist to the tale. The Essence of … [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...]
At Last Probate Meets The Digital Age
Digital Meets Probate At last, the HM courts are finally finding their way into the 21st century with the long-awaited launch of the digital service allowing people to carry out their grant of probate application online. Applying for Probate Before Now Before … [Read more...]
Can I Clear Out A House After Bereavement But Before Grant Of Probate
Clearing Out A House After Bereavement Following Grant Of Probate Probate House Clearance It is normally okay to remove and sell items from a property before probate is granted if the estate clearly falls beneath the IHT threshold (currently £325,000) but even in … [Read more...]
