No official Will in place.

poseidon1

poseidon1 said:

I would add  one further comment. The £325,000 nil rate band is largely only of relevance if one dies within 7 years of making a gift ( things get more complicated with trusts made during lifetime). 

For this reason there is actually no upper limit to outright IHT free gifts, £1 million, £10 Million, 100 Million  etc(  - you get my drift), the only requirement is survive 7 years thereafter.

This is one of the reasons the very rich, with assets they don't need to support their ongoing lifestyles can avoid IHT whilst the bulk of the population with far modest estates cannot. 

My mistake, posted to the wrong thread!