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What is an executor allowed to do?

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After a death, the person appointed as the executor to the estate has a range of powers. We take a look at what tasks they are entitled to carry out and what they are not permitted to do.

Should I use a solicitor for probate?

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Dealing with the estate of someone who has passed away can be complex and time-consuming. There are many reasons why you might want to use a solicitor or other legal professional for probate and the estate administration process. Personal...

Can you decline a legacy left to you in someone's Will?

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In some cases, there may be advantages to refusing a gift left to you in a Will. This blog will explore what these advantages could be and how you might decline a legacy or pass it to someone else with a deed of variation.

Paying Inheritance Tax

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For those dealing with someone’s estate after their death, the Inheritance Tax bill can come as a nasty shock. Some Inheritance Tax may need to be paid before a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration will be issued, which can sometimes create...

Surviving spouse's initial entitlement on Intestacy raised to £322,000

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The government has raised the amount a spouse or civil partner can inherit if their partner dies without having made a Will (or with a Will that is invalid). As of 25 July 2023, the statutory legacy figure has increased from £270,000 to...

The rule against self-dealing in estate administration

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Executors who are dealing with the administration of an estate after someone’s death need to be careful not to breach the legal rules designed to protect beneficiaries. This includes not buying assets from the estate. Known as...

Obtaining Probate for someone domiciled outside the UK

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If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you will often need to obtain a Grant of Probate. If the deceased was British and had assets in the UK but was domiciled overseas, you may still need to apply for this. Whether or not you need a...

BakerLaw LLP in Farnham Launch New Online Wills

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At BakerLaw, we are always looking to provide the best for our clients – not only in the customer experience we deliver, but also in the services we are offering. For some time, our Wills , Powers of Attorney , Trusts ...

How long can an Executor wait before distributing an estate?

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If you have been left a legacy in someone’s Will, or you are inheriting from someone who did not leave a Will, you may be wondering how soon your entitlement will be paid to you. We take a look at the Probate process and why Executors or...

Modernising Lasting Powers of Attorney

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With the current Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) system having come into effect in 2007, the government consultation on reforming the process is welcomed by many who are concerned about protecting those who lose mental capacity to manage their affairs....

Updating your Will - Half of Wills in the UK are 'out of date'

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Research done on behalf of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has found that almost half of UK adults who have a Will have not updated it for more than five years. SFE is a national association of independent lawyers who specialise in legal matters for the...

Dementia and Lasting Powers of Attorney

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A Lasting Power of Attorney authorises a trusted friend, relative or professional, to make decisions on someone’s behalf, should they lose the capacity to do this themselves, or should they need assistance with managing their affairs. If an individual...

What happens if a beneficiary is bankrupt?

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If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you need to check whether any of the beneficiaries have been declared bankrupt. If you mistakenly distribute part of the estate to a bankrupt beneficiary, the trustee in bankruptcy could bring a...

BakerLaw LLP - Proud supporters of Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, Farnham

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BakerLaw LLP Solicitors, Farnham - Proud supporters of the Phyllis Tuckwell Make a Will Month 2022 BakerLaw Solicitors are very proud to have successfully supported the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice ‘Make a Will Month 2022’. Due to our Will...

Personal risks in being an executor

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The executor to an estate has the job of winding up someone’s affairs after their death. It is a job that involves both responsibility and personal financial risk. After someone has died, their executor, named in their Will, has the role of...

BakerLaw, Farnham proud supporters of Phyllis Tuckwell Make a Will Month

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Make a Will that makes a difference Bakerlaw Solicitors are very proud to be supporting the Phyllis Tuckwell Make a Will Month 2022. During the month of April, our Wills specialists will be providing their services free of charge to help you create a new...

Which takes priority, an LPA or an advance decision?

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Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and advance decisions give authority to others to make decisions about your care on your behalf, should you need this help in the future. Both documents are for use in the event that you become unable to make decisions for...