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Tag: intestate

Why make a will?

If you die without leaving a valid Will, then the law decides how your estate is distributed, regardless of any wishes you had or promises you made during your lifetime.

The Intestacy Rules

If you are married, or registered civil partners, and have children

If your estate is worth less than £250,000 then your husband or wife gets everything.

If your estate is worth more than £250,000 then your husband or wife will get £250,000, all personal belongings and one half of everything over this sum. Your children would be entitled to the other half of the sum over £250,000, equally between them if more than one, held on trust until they are 18. Should any of your children die before you, then their children would be entitled to take their parent’s share

If you are married or civil partners and have no children

Your husband or wife receives your entire estate.

If you are not married but have had children

Your estate will be shared between your children equally but it will be held on trust until they are 18.

If you are not married and have no children but do have surviving relatives

Your estate goes to your relatives, depending on who survives you, in this order of priority: parents; brothers/sisters; half brothers/sisters; grandparents; aunts/uncles; half aunts/uncles.

 

If you are not married and have no other relatives

Your estate will go to the Crown.

The intestacy rules do not recognise “common law” partners, and “children” includes adopted and illegitimate children but not stepchildren.

Everyone should have Will, but it is of exceptional importance if:

  • you have been married more than once;
  • you have young children for whom guardians should be appointed;
  • you want to provide for a child who is not your own;
  • you are separated or divorcing;
  • you run a business and wish to plan for succession.

Making a Will is the only way to make sure that your wishes are carried out after your death.

We offer a bespoke Will-making service, and we ensure that we take the time to discuss all aspects of your assets and potential estate before we start to prepare your Will.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have relating to inheritance tax and trusts, legacies and residuary gifts. We will provide you with a draft of your Will and explain it fully to you, giving you the peace of mind of knowing that your estate will be handled in the way you wish if the worst were to happen.

To discuss this and to obtain more information contact:
Emily Payne at Dickins Hopgood Chidley Solicitors,
The Old School House, 42 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0NF 01488 683555

What is probate?

Probate legal advice in Berkshire, image shows a person reading documents

Probate, what is it? When a person dies, someone has to deal with their affairs and decide what will happen to the things they owned.

Executors

The executors are the people appointed in a Will to deal with the estate of the person who has died. An administrator is the person who deals with the estate of a person who has died without a Will (intestate). They can both be called personal representatives.

Executors can arrange the funeral and take charge of the house and possessions, unless they automatically pass to a joint owner.

If there are sufficient assets the executors will have to apply for probate. This is the legal document proving the Will and authorising the executors to deal with the assets and liabilities of the estate.

Applying for probate

To apply for probate, the value of all of the deceased’s possessions, assets and debts has to be ascertained.

If there is, or could, be Inheritance Tax to pay, the executors must report the value of the estate to HM Revenue. If the estate is not liable to IHT the executors must still complete a form giving details of the assets and certain gifts made by the person who died. This must be arranged before an application is made to the Probate Registry.

Once the matter of inheritance tax is resolved, an oath is sworn by the executors or administrators, confirming that they will administer the estate. When probate is granted, the executors have the right to deal with the assets and property of the deceased, including closure of bank accounts, sale or transfer of shares, transfer or sale of property, and payment of debts and expenses etc.

Executors are responsible for distributing the estate to the beneficiaries of the Will. Administrators must follow the ‘rules of entitlement’, which govern who will benefit from the estate of a person who has died intestate (without a will).

Instructing Us

Instructing a solicitor to act for you if you are an Executor or Administrator has the following advantages: –

1. It reduces the distress of dealing with the property and assets of a close relative or friend.

2. A solicitor advises on whether or not Inheritance Tax is payable and if so, how and when it must be paid. Inheritance Tax is complicated and in most cases you will need specialist legal advice. A solicitor will complete the lengthy inheritance tax return.

3. Financial institutions have different requirements to be met before they will release the deceased’s assets. A solicitor will be familiar with these procedures.

4. Administering an estate can be lengthy and complicated. A solicitor will be used to the complexity and be able to commit the time needed to sort out the estate.

5. A solicitor can deal not only with Inheritance Tax but also with income tax and capital gains tax arising during the administration of the estate, for which tax returns are required.

To discuss this and to obtain more information contact:
Emily Payne at Dickins Hopgood Chidley Solicitors,
The Old School House, 42 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0NF 01488 683555