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All Estate Planning Articles: Page 2

Every article we publish for England & Wales, newest first: articles 61 to 120 of 404. Prefer to browse by subject? Start from the topic hubs.

Death Notification Service UK: Tell All Banks OnceThe Death Notification Service (dns) is a free UK Finance banking industry tool that notifies multiple banks and financial institutions of a death in one step.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Digital Legacy Planning UKMost people hold dozens of online accounts. Learn how to plan for your email, social media, cloud files and crypto so your executor can manage them properly.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Divorce and LPA UK: Does Your LPA Survive?How divorce affects a Lasting Power of Attorney in England and Wales: automatic termination of a spouse's attorney appointment under section 13(11) MCA 2005.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Do You Need Probate UK? When a Grant of Probate IsNot every estate in England and Wales requires a Grant of Probate. Small estates, jointly held assets, and nominated pension benefits can all pass without it.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Do You Pay Tax on an Inheritance UK? Income Tax, CGTBeneficiaries in England and Wales pay no income tax or CGT on an inheritance; IHT is paid by the estate first. But income and later gains are taxable. 2026.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Equity Release and Care Home Fees UKEquity release can fund care home fees in England and Wales, but mind the means test, the LPA requirement, interest roll-up and deprivation of assets risk.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Estate Bank Account UKAn estate or executor bank account is opened by the personal representative to collect estate income, pay debts, and distribute the estate to beneficiaries.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Estate Planning for Single People UKEstate planning guide for single people without children in England and Wales: who inherits if you have no will, the bona vacantia risk, choosing an executor.8 June 2026 · 8 min read
Estranged Child Inheritance UKCan you disinherit an estranged son or daughter in England and Wales? Learn how testamentary freedom works and how to guard against an Inheritance Act claim.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Executor Expenses UK: What You Can Claim BackAn executor in England and Wales can reclaim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses but cannot charge for time without a will charging clause; keep your receipts.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Gifting Money to Children UK: The £6,000 Annual RuleEach person has a £3,000 annual IHT exemption, so a couple can give £6,000 per year tax-free. Seven-year rule, wedding gifts and what HMRC expects explained.8 June 2026 · 8 min read
Gifting Money to Grandchildren UKHow grandparents can gift money to grandchildren in England and Wales, the £2,500 wedding gift exemption, annual gifting allowance, regular gifts from income.8 June 2026 · 8 min read
Heir Hunters UK: Fees, Tactics and Your RightsWhen someone dies intestate without obvious heirs, heir hunting firms trace distant relatives for a fee; how it works, your right to opt out, and bona vacantia.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
How to Get an IHT Reference Number from HMRCApply for an inheritance tax reference via form IHT422 online, at least 3 weeks before paying; needed before paying IHT, with tax due 6 months after death.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
HMRC Inheritance Tax Compliance Check UKWhat triggers an HMRC inheritance tax enquiry, from undervalued property to omitted gifts, the enquiry time limits, and how an executor should respond.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
How to Avoid Care Home Fees UKWhy gifting your home does not avoid care home fees, how councils treat deliberate deprivation of assets, and which planning steps are actually legal.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
How to Close a Bank Account After Death UKWhen someone dies, their sole bank accounts are frozen immediately. Most UK banks will release funds or close accounts for small estates without a Grant of.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
IHT205 Form UK: When to Use It and How to Complete ItIHT205 covers excepted estates below the IHT threshold. Most now file online. When the paper form still applies, what to include and how to file it. 2026.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Write a Will for Free UK: 5 Genuine OptionsYou don't need a solicitor or any fee to write a valid will in England and Wales. Five free and low-cost routes compared, with who qualifies for each.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
How to Value a House for Probate UKFor probate, a property must be valued at market value at the date of death. A RICS Red Book valuation or a written estate agent's opinion is acceptable.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
How to Value Shares for Probate UKHow to value shares for probate at the date of death: quoted shares (the quarter-up rule), unquoted holdings, ISAs and AIM shares. Where to find prices. 2026.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
IHT Overpayment Refund UKReclaim overpaid IHT: loss on shares (IHTA 1984 s.178), loss on land (s.191), deeds of variation (s.142) and HMRC errors. Submit IHT35 or IHT38. 2026.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Inheritance Tax on Savings UK: ISA and BondsAll savings and investments in your sole name are included in your estate for inheritance tax, cash, ISAs, Premium Bonds, NS&I, and investment accounts.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Inheriting Money While on Benefits UKInheriting on Universal Credit or means-tested benefits: what you must report to DWP, the £6,000 and £16,000 capital limits, and discretionary trust options.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Joint Bank Account Death UKA joint bank account passes to the survivor outside probate, yet the deceased's share still counts for IHT. Learn the survivorship and freezing rules.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Lasting Power of Attorney Costs UKA Lasting Power of Attorney costs £92 per LPA in OPG registration fees, or £184 for both types; Help with Fees remission is available on a low income.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Leasehold Property on Death UK: What Happens NextWhat happens to a leasehold flat when the owner dies: probate, transferring the lease, and the ground rent and service charges the estate must keep paying.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Letter of Wishes UK: Guide Your Executors and TrusteesA letter of wishes privately guides your executors and trustees alongside your will; not legally binding, but essential where you have a discretionary trust.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
LPA Attorney Conflict of Interest UKAn LPA attorney cannot buy the donor's assets or make large gifts without Court of Protection consent. Learn the self-dealing rule and the OPG oversight.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
LPA for Elderly Parents UKHow to arrange a Lasting Power of Attorney for an elderly parent in England and Wales, how to raise the conversation, the OPG registration process.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Revoking a Lasting Power of Attorney UKLearn how to cancel an LPA while you have capacity using Form LP3, what automatically revokes it under the Mental Capacity Act, and exactly who you must tell.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
LPA vs Deputyship UK: Costs and Control ComparedA Lasting Power of Attorney is registered before capacity is lost; a Court of Protection deputyship is applied for after. Costs, control and speed compared.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
LPA vs Will UKA Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and a will serve completely different purposes. An LPA takes effect during your lifetime if you lose mental capacity.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Paying Funeral Costs Before Probate UKWhen someone dies, their bank accounts are frozen before probate. Most banks will release funds directly to a funeral director via the Direct Payment Scheme.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Power of Attorney Scotland: How It DiffersPower of Attorney in Scotland is governed by the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. How it differs from England and Wales, and how to register one.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Prepaid Funeral Plan UKA prepaid funeral plan fixes today's prices and reduces your estate without the 7-year gift rule. Learn the FCA regulation, FSCS cover and inheritance tax.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Probate Bank Thresholds UK: Limits Bank by BankUK banks set their own thresholds for releasing a deceased person's funds without a grant of probate, typically £5,000 to £50,000, set per institution.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Probate Costs UK: Fees You Should Expect to PayWhat probate really costs in England and Wales: the £526 HMCTS application fee, solicitor charges, and the cheaper DIY route. When no fee is payable. 2026.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Probate and the Land Registry UK: Updating TitleHow to update the Land Registry and transfer property title after a death in England and Wales: death of a joint tenant (djp), assent to a beneficiary (AS1).8 June 2026 · 8 min read
Probate Registry Delays UKProbate applications can take weeks or months to clear. Learn why query letters stall cases, how to track yours and when you can ask the Registry to hurry.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Probate Time Limit UKThere is no legal deadline to apply for probate, but the inheritance tax and Inheritance Act clocks still run. Learn the real time limits and executor risk.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Rental Property When a Landlord Dies UK: What HappensWhen a landlord dies, their tenancies do not end; the estate inherits the landlord's rights and obligations. What executors and tenants need to do next.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Residuary Beneficiary UKWhat a residuary beneficiary receives after debts and gifts, your rights to estate accounts, how residue is taxed, plus abatement and lapse explained.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
Right to Buy Inheritance UKWhen someone who purchased their home under the Right to Buy scheme dies, the property forms part of their estate and is inherited in the usual way.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Selling Inherited Property in the UKSelling inherited property in England and Wales: when a Grant of Probate is required, the CGT base cost from probate value, and the 60-day CGT return.8 June 2026 · 9 min read
Siblings' Inheritance Rights UKWhen do siblings inherit in England and Wales? How brothers and sisters are treated under the intestacy rules and under a will, and how to protect them.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Tell Us Once UKTell Us Once is a free government service that notifies HMRC, DWP, DVLA, the Passport Office, and local councils in a single step when someone dies.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Tenants in Common Will UKIf you own property as tenants in common in England and Wales, your share does not pass automatically to your co-owner, it goes through your will or intestacy.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens When a Trustee Dies UK? TrustWhen a trustee dies, the trust does not end; it continues under the surviving trustees. How replacements are appointed and what happens to a sole trustee.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
Trusts for Grandchildren UK: Best Options ComparedLeaving money directly to minor grandchildren causes problems. This guide explains how to use a trust in your will to pass an inheritance to grandchildren in.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
Types of Will UK: Which One Fits Your Family?The main types of will in England and Wales: simple, mirror, mutual, trust (life interest IPDI, discretionary, NRB), statutory and privileged wills compared.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens If an Executor Dies UK? Before & DuringWhat happens when an executor dies before the testator, before probate, or mid-administration: chain of representation, substitutes and de bonis non grants.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
What Happens to a Trust When the Settlor Dies UK?A trust does not end when the settlor dies; it continues under the trustees. Replacement if the settlor was trustee; gift with reservation (IHTA 1984 s.102).8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens to Child Benefit When a Parent Dies UK?Child Benefit stops automatically when the claimant parent dies. The surviving parent must re-register with HMRC's Child Benefit Office to receive payments in.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens to Loyalty Points When You Die UK?Most loyalty points are non-transferable on death under programme terms; British Airways Executive Club miles are forfeited. What executors should redeem early.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens to a Mobile Phone Contract When You Die UKA mobile phone contract is a personal service agreement that cannot be inherited. How to cancel with EE, O2, Vodafone and Three, and who pays any balance.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens to an NHS Pension When You Die UK? DeathThe NHS Pension Scheme pays a death in service lump sum of two times pensionable pay, an adult dependant's pension, and a children's pension.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
What Happens to Pets When You Die UKIn law your pet is property, so plan ahead. Learn how to name a carer in your will, leave money for their care and write a letter of wishes for your animals.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
What Happens to State Pension When You Die UK?The State Pension stops when you die and is not automatically inherited. What a spouse or civil partner may claim, and how to notify the DWP after a death.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
What Happens to Utility Bills When Someone Dies UKWhat to do with gas, electricity, water, broadband, and council tax bills after a death in England and Wales: who is responsible, how to notify suppliers.8 June 2026 · 7 min read

Self-help information only. Articles on this blog are for general informational purposes and do not constitute legal advice. WillSafe UK is not a firm of solicitors. For complex estates, blended families, business assets or foreign property, please speak to a qualified solicitor.