Under English and Welsh intestacy rules, what children inherit depends on one main factor: whether the person who died left behind a surviving husband, wife,...
Probate
How Often Do The Rules Of Intestacy Change?
The basic framework for intestacy does not change very often. Because these rules are baked into UK law, altering them takes an act of Parliament. As a...
What Happens When You Don’t Want an Inheritance?
When someone passes away, inheriting property or money is usually viewed as a positive thing. Even during a time of grief, receiving assets can provide a...
Establishing the Value of an Estate for Probate
Estate valuation for probate is often at the very bottom of the priority list after a loved one has passed away. However, it is an essential matter that,...
How to Determine Your Inheritance Rights in the UK
When a loved one passes away, many people don't know if they have the right to inherit. The answer is not always straightforward, as some research may be...
How to Avoid Inheritance Disputes
Inheritance disputes are becoming more common, with even the strongest of families falling victim to post-death disagreements. While having a will doesn’t...
What Happens if a Beneficiary Dies During Probate?
The probate process is much more straightforward when a valid will is in place, as it ensures the deceased's intentions are carried out and the estate is...
What Does Contentious Probate Mean?
When a deceased person's will is contested or disputed, it is referred to as contentious probate. For a variety of reasons, wills can be contested, which...
Personal Representatives – All You Need to Know
It's an emotional time when a loved one passes away. You have assumed the vital legal role of a Personal Representative (PR) if you have been nominated as an...
Actions to Take Following a Family Member’s Death
Death is inevitable, but that doesn’t make it easy to deal with, and each death and grieving journey will be different. It is helpful to at least think about...
A Guide to Writing Your Own Eulogy
Death is one certainty in life. Most people have a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life, and a loved one or clergy reads a eulogy. Eulogies are...
Things That Are Easily Forgotten When Dealing With A Deceased Loved One’s Estate
Nothing can prepare you for losing a loved one. Those days and weeks after the death, when you tend to their belongings and get things in order, will never be...
Losing Mental Capacity as an Owner of Property Abroad
Many people who own property abroad also live in the UK. When the time comes, the executor of the deceased's estate will take care of this while following all...
Removing an Executor – All You Need to Know
You might want to remove an executor from your will for several reasons. If you want to file a removal petition with the court, you can include specific...
Dealing With Bank Accounts After Death
Almost everyone has a bank account, and many people have more than one. When someone passes away, it is often a shock, and it is easy to feel overloaded with...
What is a Letter of Administration in the UK?
A "Letter of Administration" is a legal instrument that empowers the holder to represent and administer the estate of an individual who has died without...
Dying with Unsecured Debt
Dying with debt is something that concerns many, especially in the wake of coronavirus. Not everyone has their estate in order when they die, especially since...