DIY probate

Good for you! Just take your time and don't be afraid to ask. Good luck.

Vaskor wrote: »

My brother and I went through the DIY route for our late mother. The estate had a number of complications which took us (me mostly) a great amount of time and effort to resolve, but I suspect this effort would have been multiplied immensely if we had to brief a solicitor unfamiliar with the exact details of our case. This also avoided the risk of a solicitor making mistakes with the complications, especially in a sensitive situation.

Yes, and the other issue with a solicitor doing it is they'd have to do by the book - like a notice in the London Gazette for anyone who has a claim against the estate.

If you knew the deceased well enough to know they had no debts you're not aware of, or the executor(s) are the beneficiaries and they'd end up paying anyway (through either a lower inheritance or a later claim) then you might not consider this necessary.

Tom99 wrote: »

[FONT=Tahoma, sans-serif]DIY probate is very straight forward. I have done it three times.[/FONT]
[FONT=Tahoma, sans-serif]Just take your time and work through the forms.[/FONT]

I agree. I managed Mums estate last year - her flat, cash and insurance plus various debts owed and refunds required. I took my time and made sure I had all her docs and death certificate to hand. On the subject of death certificate - get a few certified copies as not all companies will accept photocopies.

Unless the estate is complicated or likely to be challenged, I really think you could manage it yourself. Actually I'm shocked at how much that company want to charge you !

Good luck. Take your time and if possible ask a family member or good friend to check that you have filled in the forms correctly and added up the figures correctly. Inheritance tax kicks in at quite a high level (can't remember what but it's over £200,00) so that might not be a concern for you.

Sorry for your loss. Xx

Hi OP

Just to clarify a few issues here.

The house in his sole name will most definitely trigger Probate, for which the mortgage will be offset against the value.
The house held jointly will still be required to be declared, with 50% of the price quoted.
You are covered by spousal exemption and would not face any inheritance tax. Provided the estate does not pass £1 million total, you can fill in the short inheritance tax form (205) which is much simpler.
When applying for Probate the whole estate value would need to be listed - even the parts for which Probate is not required - so 1/2 the marital home, property in his sole name, his sole bank accounts, 1/2 of any joint bank accounts, any car, etc in his sole name.