Posts tagged “Probate”

Should I place my life insurance policy into a trust?

Posted on 27th February 2025

Like an umbrella on a rainy day, a life insurance policy is protection against the unexpected. Should you put yours in a trust?

You might have heard trusts mentioned in relation to Will writing and estate planning.

Trusts are also a consideration if you’re planning to take out some life insurance.

Many of us think about life insurance as protection for a rainy day. It can help our loved ones manage financially when we die. Normally they receive a lump sum free of income tax and Capital Gains Tax, so how might a trust help?

Probate Registry faster but not fast enough

Posted on 25th October 2024

Toroises are known to be slow and so is the probate service

The latest data from HM Courts & Tribunals Service shows overall improvements from the Probate Registry although long delays continue.

Causes of poor performance include inexperienced staff and reduced service standards. Long delays and ‘stops’ on applications for probate remain common although the average time is reportedly 9.3 weeks (July 2024). That’s back to September 2022 levels.

Probate delays still continue

Posted on 25th April 2024

The probate process takes a long time after you've laid flowers on a loved one's gravestone.

Concerns continue about probate application delays. The government says it has put measures in place to speed up the probate process.

Despite the government’s target to complete probate applications within 16 weeks, delays mean it can still take up to a year.

Dealing with bereavement

Posted on 27th October 2023

When you lose a close friend or family member you must deal with your grief and many practical issues too.

If you’re an executor for your loved one’s estate this is a very challenging time. Although it’s a necessary administrative process it’s sometimes confusing and stressful.

As this couple standing in a graveyard know bereavement is difficult.

What happens if an original Will is lost?

Posted on 12th February 2023

Sometimes the original copy of a Will can't be find amongst documents

When a loved one dies you might find yourself in the situation where their original Will can’t be found and only a copy is available.

Delays in probate are still continuing

Posted on 22nd December 2022

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has admitted that probate delays continue to increase for digital and paper applications, even where there aren’t any reasons for them to be stopped.

Allow for dealys when applying for grant of probate

Bereavement Support Payment: what is it?

Posted on 26th September 2022

If your husband, wife, or civil partner died in the last 21 months you could be eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment (BSP).

It is a welfare benefit to help you financially following your loss. It replaces the Bereavement Allowance (previously the Widow’s Pension), Bereavement Payment, and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.

As well as the support of friends and family you need financial help when your partner dies and there are children to think about

Probate delays continue

Posted on 11th February 2022

Letter tiles spelling 'allow for delay' sum up the current position with probate applications

Despite reassurances last year, probate delays are continuing in 2022. The promised improvements are failing to speed up the service for bereaved families.

Changes to probate fees and inheritance tax in 2022

Posted on 7th January 2022

This month there will be changes to probate fees and the rules concerning inheritance tax.

Why property ownership matters for your Will

Posted on 12th November 2021

The ownership of your home can affect who can inherit it when you die.

In a recent High Court case a widow was awarded £80,000 from her brother-in-law’s inheritance following a dispute over property ownership. Here’s what happened.

Her husband has made a Will leaving his estate in full to her. However, after his death, there was a dispute concerning the family home that she had shared with him. The property was registered to her husband and his brother. It had been owned by their mother until she died in 2009, but it wasn’t clear whether the brothers held the property as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common.