Whether or not a grant is needed depends on what assets the deceased person owned, and whether they owned them in their sole name. Where assets are owned jointly there will usually be no need to apply for a grant as the assets will automatically pass to the surviving joint owner. Where there is no property and only a small […]
Do I need a grant of representation?
Will I have to pay inheritance tax?
In England and Wales, inheritance tax (IHT) typically has to be paid when an individual’s estate is worth more than £325,000 when they died. We offer free initial advice and our fixed fee complete estate administration service deals with the question of inheritance tax and ensures that the appropriate exemptions are applied. The £325,000 figure is the current inheritance tax […]
What are the duties of the personal representatives?
The administrator can be held financially liable for any loss resulting from a breach of duty, even if a mistake is made in good faith. Being named as Executor in a Will or being appointed on intestacy can involve complicated, difficult and time-consuming duties which often take up to a year to complete. It is crucial to get everything right […]
What Are Timeframes For Probate?
Obtaining the Grant of Representation and administering an estate typically takes between 3-12 months to complete and can take longer where there is a property to sell. Every case is different but generally very straight forward cases can be concluded in as little as 3-6 months but complex cases can take over 12 months to finalise. We will keep you […]
An Introduction To Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
To cover health and welfare or financial decisions A Lasting Power of Attorney appoints your chosen person or persons to make decisions on your behalf during your lifetime. Many people put them in place at the same time as getting their Will written, as part of planning for the future. What are the types of Power of Attorney There are […]
What happens if I die without making a Will?
If you die in England or Wales without a legally valid Will the intestacy rules govern who is entitled to receive your assets. If you have no living family members, everything will go to the Crown. Here is a simple guide to how the intestacy rules would distribute your estate if you died without a will. Married or in a […]
Why do I need to make a Will?
A will helps to protect your family’s future and ensures that you control how your assets pass after you die. By writing a will you have certainty that your wishes will be carried out and you can use it to appoint guardians for minor children and make known any specific wishes you many have in terms of individual gifts or […]
Choosing the Right Funeral Director Can Make All the Difference
Arranging a funeral for a loved one for the first time can be an emotional and distressing experience. Because of this year’s pandemic, it is an unfortunate reality that funerals have often had to be organised when least expected. Despite the challenging circumstances, most people want their loved one to get the very best care and attention as they depart […]
What Could Happen to Your Assets if Your Lose Your Life to COVID-19 Without a Will?
Most of us have already had our lives dominated by the incessant news about the global COVID-19 pandemic, but there are a number of deaths that have without reasonable notice inflicted families. After all, no one really thought a virus allegedly derived from bats could do so much damage to the human population. But it has and swiftly too. One […]
Can I Sell the Deceased’s Property to Pay Inheritance Tax?
Paying Inheritance tax (IHT) is not always a straightforward matter, particularly if the amount due is more than you, the executor, have available to pay. If the estate left in the will is more than £325,000, then 40% of any amount over this threshold will need to be paid to HMRC. It doesn’t matter whether the estate is property only, […]
Storing Your Will So It Can Be Found
Often, when a will is written, the last thing the person whose will it is wants is relatives or potential beneficiaries to shuffle through draws and cupboards looking for a piece of paper which will tell them whether they are a beneficiary or not. However, you might think you should conceal it away from prying eyes, but you do not […]
Choosing an Executor to Administer Your Will
The person who sorts out your property when you die and carries out the instructions in your Will is called your executor. It is preferable that you appoint an executor in your Will as it makes it easier to finalise your Will after you die. There are no restrictions on who you choose to do the job, but it is […]