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Corresponding with a previously appointed professional executor to ask them to renounce their appointment;
This will enable you to appoint Dignity Legal Services and receive a more competitive fee with a 15% member discount
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Carrying out all necessary checks to ensure the validity of any Will in existence
This will ensure that the estate is distributed in accordance with the wishes of the deceased
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When there is no valid will, applying the rules of intestacy to the estate of the deceased to identify the Personal Representatives and beneficiaries and to establish the entitlement of the beneficiaries;
This will ensure that the estate is correctly distributed in accordance with the law
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Applying to the Probate Registry and obtaining the appropriate Grant of Representation;
We are able to apply for a grant on behalf of the Personal Representative/Executor and we will be legally responsible for the correct distribution of the estate.
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Assessing and dealing with any claims against the estate;
We will ensure that any claims made by beneficiaries or others are assessed in accordance with the Will or intestacy law ensuring that only valid claims are paid.
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Assessing variations to the distribution of the estate;
In some cases it may be beneficial to arrange for a variation to be made in the way that estate is distributed in order to save on inheritance tax
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Identifying and corresponding with the Personal Representatives and beneficiaries of the estate throughout the estate administration;
Keeping everyone informed of the process of the administration will help to make the process less stressful
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Identifying and corresponding with all financial institutions and organisations relevant to the estate throughout the estate administration;
We will ensure that we have identified ALL accounts that the deceased had so that all inheritance tax due is paid and all beneficiaries receive what they are entitled to.
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Arranging for the professional valuation of any assets in the estate;
A professional valuation will help to ensure that any assets sold achieve the best price. This will ensure that all inheritance tax is paid and that beneficiaries receive the full legacy to which they are entitled.
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Gathering all the assets of the estate;
To ensure that beneficiaries receive their full legacy and that all Inheritance Tax is paid
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Transferring all jointly held assets into sole name, including property;
This will make it easier for the joint party to continue to manage their affairs without difficulty
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Paying any debts and liabilities from the estate;
To ensure that debtors do not pursue the executors for payment
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Preparing the accounts of the estate for the beneficiaries;
This will show all parties involved the details of the estate and will help to avoid confusion and disputes.
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Distributing the estate to the beneficiaries;
To comply with the law and the terms of the Will
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Appointing Royal Mail to re-direct post during the period of administration in order to manage all the affairs of the estate.
This will help us manage any bills and other matters that would have been received by the deceased.
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Completing and submitting the Income Tax return from 6th April to the date of death (standard R27);
Tax on any earning that the deceased had prior to their death will still need to be paid, it is important that this done prior to any distribution.
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Completing and submitting the appropriate Inheritance Tax form, either an IHT 205 or IHT 400;
To ensure that all tax due is correctly calculated and paid and that HMRC do not pursue the executors, beneficiaries or the estate in general for unpaid tax.
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Completing and submitting the Capital Gains Tax return, if required;
Tax on any earning that the deceased had prior to their death will still need to be paid, it is important that this done prior to any distribution.
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Conducting all tax correspondence with HM Revenue & Customs relevant to the completion of the above tax forms;
This can be detailed and is often best dealt with by specialists
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Taking any corrective action required by HM Revenue & Customs during the estate administration process;
To ensure that all tax due is correctly calculated and paid and that HMRC do not pursue the executors, beneficiaries or the estate in general for unpaid tax.
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Claiming any relevant reliefs or exemptions applicable to the estate;
Reliefs apply in a wide variety of circumstances and it is important that any entitlements are identified, this will help to maximise the value of the estate for beneficiaries.
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Calculating any Inheritance Tax, Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax owed;
To ensure that all tax due is correctly calculated and paid and that HMRC do not pursue the executors, beneficiaries or the estate in general for unpaid tax.
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Ensuring payment of any outstanding tax from the estate or by the beneficiaries;
To ensure that all tax due is correctly calculated and paid and that HMRC do not pursue the executors, beneficiaries or the estate in general for unpaid tax.
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Calculating and arranging for the transfer of any nil rate band allowance in order to reduce inheritance tax.
To ensure that only tax due is correctly calculated and paid and that HMRC do not pursue the executors, beneficiaries or the estate in general for unpaid tax.
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Appointing and managing a specialist conveyancer to register any unregistered land at HM Land Registry, if required;
To ensure that the beneficiaries are able to dispose of the property at a later date without complications.
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Appointing and managing a specialist conveyancer for the transfer of ownership of the property;
To ensure that the beneficiaries are able to dispose of the property at a later date without complications.
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Ensuring that the buildings and contents insurer is fully aware of the change in circumstances and making sure that appropriate insurance is in place.
To ensure that if the property is damaged by fire, flood or malicious damage that the policy will provide adequate compensation to the estate.
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Writing a new single will for the surviving spouse, if required;
To ensure that the estate of the surviving spouse is properly structured and that inheritance tax liabilities are minimised.
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Setting up any trusts relevant to the estate
To ensure that the Will is administered in accordance with the wishes of the deceased and that any beneficiaries of the Trusts and Trustees are advised of the benefits and duties.
