The steps you need to take after a bereavement

If a family member dies, there are several legal steps that may need to be taken: Register the death The death must be registered with the local Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages within 5 days (8 days in Scotland). The death certificate will be needed to settle the estate and claim benefits. Arrange the funera The executor of the […]

Can you sell a house before probate?

It is possible to sell a house before probate is granted, but the process can be more complicated. When a person dies and leaves behind a house, the house is considered part of their estate and must be included in the probate process. The executors of the estate are responsible for paying any debts and taxes owed by the deceased, […]

How do I get money out of deceased bank account at Lloyds

If a person has passed away and had a bank account with Lloyds, the process for getting money out of their account will depend on whether or not they had a will. If the deceased had a will: The executor of the estate, as named in the will, will need to present a certified copy of the death certificate and […]

Inheritance Tax threshold frozen until 2028

The chancellor’s autumn statement confirmed that the current Inheritance Tax threshold will be frozen until at least April 2028. This follows a previous announcement freezing it until April 2026. The two-year extension to the lower limit means that more families will be required to pay Inheritance Tax as more estates exceed the nil rate band of £325,000. Inheritance Tax levels […]

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 […]

Wills and jointly owned property

Many people don’t realise that when you own property jointly with another person that property will not pass under your will or by intestacy. When making your will it is important that you consider how property is held to ensure that it passes in accordance with your wishes. There are two main ways of owning a property jointly known as […]

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 […]