The executor to an estate has the job of winding up someone’s affairs after their death. It is a job that involves both responsibility and personal financial risk. After someone has died, their executor, named in their Will, has the role of administering their estate and ensuring that the beneficiaries receive everything to which they are entitled. It is important […]
Personal risks in being an executor
Lasting Powers of Attorney – Frequently Asked Questions
A Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA is a legal document giving authority to a trusted person to make decisions on your behalf, should you ever become unable to do this yourself. We answer some of the most frequently asked questions concerning making and using LPAs. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney appoints someone […]
When do banks ask for a Grant of Probate?
After a death, an estate executor or administrator is responsible for winding up the deceased’s affairs. This may include obtaining a Grant of Probate. We take a look at when banks will ask for a grant before releasing funds. In some situations, it is not necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate after someone dies. This includes when the deceased […]
How to obtain a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration
After a death, it is often necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate or a Grant of Letters of Administration. This is the document that gives the deceased’s personal representatives legal authority to deal with their affairs and wind up their estate. If the deceased left a Will, it will name executors. These are the people who are responsible for […]
Update on Probate Registry Delays
During the course of the pandemic, there has been a considerable backlog of probate applications at the Probate Registry. This backlog was actually an exacerbation of a situation that has been ongoing since 2017. The reasons are not that simple to explain. Staff shortages at the Probate Registry and other complications during the pandemic are understandable, but these should have […]
What Happens to Someone’s Bank Account When They Die?
When a person dies, the personal representative (PR) takes responsibility for the management of the deceased person’s estate which includes money, possessions and property and will also be responsible for the closure of bank accounts. If the PR has been named in a will they take on the role of the executor. How to find the bank account information of […]
Who is Your Next of Kin?
Most people tend to think that the term “next of kin” means someone closest to them in their family – their spouse or civil partner, parent, child or other relative. Legally, however, this may not always be the case. This apparent contradiction is the subject of this blog. When is your next of kin of automatic significance? If you haven’t […]
New Flat Fee For Probate But Processing Time Is Much the Same
Probate is the legal right to deal with another person’s property, money and possessions after they have died. There are only certain people who are entitled to apply for probate. Who can apply depends on if there is a will present. If there is a will, executors who have been named in it may apply. If there is no will, […]
An Introduction To We Pay Funeral Fees
We Pay Funeral Fees is a service provided Curtis Legal Ltd where we provide families with a simple, interest free & transparent service which allows them to pay for the funeral of their loved one. The Process Our specialist advisor will explain everything in simple terms and will confirm immediately if the estate is eligible to have the funeral fees […]
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, […]
Do I Have To Act As An Executor If Named In a Will?
Administering a relative’s will can be a traumatic experience, but it’s not a role you are forced to do, even if you have been appointed to take on the task by the deceased relative in his or her will. There is a process available if you want to withdraw your rights to take on this task. It’s called renunciation and […]