Posts tagged “Probate”

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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.

Who can access your medical records when you die?

Posted on 7th September 2021

If someone dies and there’s uncertainty about their mental capacity when they made their Will one answer might be to refer to their medical records.

Can you just ask their GP to provide them?

Changes to the online probate service

Posted on 23rd August 2021

Changes to the online probate service, MyHMCTS, for solicitors and other legal professionals came into effect on 19 August 2021. These changes could simplify and streamline the probate process for executors and administrators.

A black gavel use in HM Court and Tribunal service hearings