Probate

John_Pierpoint

If you go over the InHeritance Tax single person threshold, you have to apply for a tax payer's reference and fill in a family of forms that are numbered IHTxxx.

Some people find them a pain in the neck but I have a lower opinion of them.
Basically these are computer system input forms which may fail because you have slightly misunderstood the instructions, in which case some clerk will get back to you.
So step one is to find out what the estate is worth, if you are still in the zero rate band for IHT, the forms are reasonably simple; if you have to go the whole hog and fill in these self assessment forms, ask yourself "Am I able to struggle through a self assessment tax return with the support of the MSE community?"

Obviously if you get half way through and them have to give up and pass your mess of paperwork to a solicitor, then I is likely to cost more than if you had never started on the DIY route. You have 6 months before interest is charged and 12 before a penalty will be imposed.

The tax tail is definitely wagging the legal probate dog.

How good are solicitors art getting it 100% right?.