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Probate process question: beneficiary order and renouncing as executor
I’m an executor (along with my sister) of my late grandad’s estate. A firm of solicitors is also named as a professional executor. I haven’t seen the will yet as we’re still waiting for the death certificate, but the solicitors have sent draft probate forms which list the beneficiaries in the following order: -a church -a…
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Can I use a Downsizing Addition for IHT calculation - Gift of 50% House to Child
Hello Everyone, I have a question relating to filling out the IHT 400 and using the Downsizing Addition to maximize the RNRB and TRNRB available. Father and Son both lived in the property and it is the sons and was the fathers main and only residence. (50% ownership each, survivorship clause), with the sons 50% having been…
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Gifts out of regular income
I asked a previous question about 10k being gifted in the year of death to FIL granddaughters. I have used 3k exemption for 25/26 and 24/25. FIL has plenty of excess income to cover the other 4K. Would this be allowable to reduce the IHT charge on the 10k to zero? Thank you
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Pensions problems
Hi, Not sure whether this should be under pensions or probate as it’s both kind of. My dad recently passed away and left me as executor. He left me a list of his assets in which was included a large pension with Aegon target plan which he had got through working for United utilities. My dad was under the impression it…
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Unacceptable Probate delays - not fit for purpose
I just thought that I would share my experience of obtaining probate and see if anyone else on the forum has had similar issue's. My brother passed away in December 2023 and as a named executor on his will, I applied for probate online in January 2024. I received a confirmation e-mail of my application and on my account it…
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Refund to estate IHT 400
FIL has council tax and car insurance refunds due because he passed away during the year. Do I enter the refunds in box 76 on IHT 400 and add detail in the additional information box? Thank you
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IHT 409
FIL had 2 pensions from former employers. No death benefits payable . Pension ceased on death. Do I complete 1 or 2 IHT 409 schedules?
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Can an estate buy a share in a house?
I am in a tricky position of being attorney for my frail mother who is living in care, and executor for my late father. Their house now stands empty, incurring risk and cost. It is held as tenants in common, a legacy of a now-irrelevant IHT scheme, or something: it doesn't matter, it happened. Once I have probate, my…
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C1 Form completion advice
I am looking for help with completing the C1 form. My father passed away and we need a certificate of confirmation for a bank account and also for some shares. I have been dealing with the estate and will be applying for the confirmation. With paragraph 2 I was looking for an example of how best to word it. My Mum is…
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Utilities after a death – notify now or wait for death certificate/probate?
Hi all, I’m looking for some UK-specific advice on how best to handle utilities after a death. My grandad has recently passed away. The property will be unoccupied for a while and probate hasn’t started yet. We don’t yet have the death certificate (MCCD issued but waiting for registration). One view is that we should…
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Dispersing of accounts as an executor
Hi Any advice appreciated, so dispersing of accounts, I know I need to share statement of accounts & I’ve read it’s R185 form. Complete this and send the same copy to all 5 charities, please what do I get them to sign for completion or excepting their %\money, before transferring of funds. I’m helping my mum who is elderly…
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Probate & IHT Form
Hi, I can see several entries with people asking similar questions but if someone can "comment" that would be helpful. My mum has recently passed away and my brother and I are the only family left. We are applying for probate (as there is property involved) but have got confused on the part about whether we do need to fill…
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Guide discussion: Probate: How to do it yourself
Probate: How to do it yourself guide. Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply. If you aren’t sure how it all works, read our New to Forum? Intro Guide.
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Aviva Life Insurance Policy
Hi, I have been dealing with the estate (less than £100k in total with no property to sell) of an elderly family friend. I have successfully applied for probate, successfully claimed & closed 2 life insurance policies from Sun Life, and closed & received his money from his bank accounts. But having trouble claiming a small…
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Solicitor as executor?
I'm about to revise my will and wondering whether to appoint a firm of solicitors as executors. Current situation: I have no immediate family and plan to leave the bulk of my estate to charity. As it stands, I have two friends as executors but they are a similar age and I feel it's no longer appropriate to lumber them with…
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Lack of information about Father’s Will
Apologies if this has been asked previously. My father died in November 2025. I am aware of his Will and know I am a Beneficiary, as it was discussed with my estranged sister a few years before his death. Should I have heard from the Executor at this point or am I being too premature? When and what should I do if I hear…
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25-26 Winter fuel payment after passing
The deceased's bank account received the WFP after they had passed. The deceased passed after the September 2025 qualifying milestone, I've called the DWP and they've verbally advised that they won't be requesting the WFP is returned to them by the estate. The deceased had net income higher than the £35,000 pa rate. Does…
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No Deeds & No Land Registry entry
Father died recently, leaving his share of the home to my Mother (in trust to me and 2 siblings). They've lived in the house for over 55yrs and it was never registered with the land registry. My mother has also been unable to locate the Deeds. How do we go about getting the Deeds which I assume are needed before the house…
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Probate, Estate expenses & a joint bank account.
Hi Thanks in advance for your help. My Mum has very recently died and I am in the process of trying to get my Mum's affairs ready to submit a Probate application. The estate is likely to be a little over 1million, we are able to use my deceased fathers IHT allowance and the house is to be inherited by myself and my…
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Heir Hunter questions.
A pal has been contacted by a Heir Hunter (HH) company regarding potential inheritance from a deceased person who she has never heard of. Company documentation seems legitimate. Surname of deceased tallies with her surname. Deceased's name appears on the Bona Vacantia list - assuming it's the same person. She's undecided…
