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All Estate Planning Articles: Page 2
Every article we publish for England & Wales, newest first: articles 61 to 120 of 357. Prefer to browse by subject? Start from the topic hubs.
- 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 2000.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- Probate Bank Thresholds UK: Limits Bank by BankUK banks set their own thresholds for releasing a deceased's funds without a grant of probate, typically £5,000–£50,000 depending on the bank.8 June 2026 · 6 min read
- Probate Costs UK: Fees You Should Expect to PayThe probate application fee is £273 for estates over £5,000 (free under £5,000).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
- Rental Property When a Landlord Dies UK: What HappensWhen a landlord dies, their tenancy agreements do not end, the estate inherits the landlord's rights and obligations.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
- Selling Inherited Property in the UKHow to sell inherited property in England and Wales: when probate is required, CGT base cost rules, rates and reporting, IHT interaction.8 June 2026 · 9 min read
- Siblings' Inheritance Rights UKWhen do siblings inherit in England and Wales, under intestacy and under a will?8 June 2026 · 6 min read
- What Happens When a Trustee Dies UK? TrustWhen a trustee dies, the trust does not end, it continues under the surviving trustees, if any.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?There are several types of will in England and Wales, a simple will, mirror wills, a will with a trust, a statutory will, and others.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- What Happens If an Executor Dies UK? Before & DuringWhat happens if an executor named in a will dies in England and Wales, before the testator, after the testator but before probate.8 June 2026 · 7 min read
- What Happens to a Trust When the Settlor Dies UK?When a settlor dies, the trust does not end, it continues under the trustees. If the settlor was also a trustee, a replacement trustee is needed.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 and conditions. British Airways Executive Club miles are forfeited.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 transferred.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- What Happens to State Pension When You Die UK?The State Pension stops when you die. It is not automatically inherited by a spouse or civil partner.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- What Is a Codicil UK? How to Amend a Will WithoutA codicil is a separate legal document that adds to, varies, or revokes part of an existing will, without replacing the whole will.8 June 2026 · 4 min read
- Will Writing Services UK: Types, Costs and AlternativesThere are four main ways to make a will in England and Wales: a high-street solicitor, an online will writing service, a DIY will kit.8 June 2026 · 5 min read
- UK Wills Law Reform 2026: What Happened to the BillThe government missed its 16 May 2026 deadline to respond to the Law Commission Modernising Wills Law report. Your existing will is fully valid.19 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Blended Family Wills UK: Protecting All Your ChildrenStandard mirror wills can disinherit children from a first relationship in a blended family.18 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Deed of Disclaimer UK: How to Refuse an InheritanceA deed of disclaimer lets a beneficiary refuse an inheritance after someone dies.15 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Inheriting a House UK: Tax, Ownership and Next StepsWhen you inherit a house in England and Wales, you need to understand inheritance tax, CGT on later sale, probate, and your options, keep, sell, or rent.15 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Insolvent Estate UK: Creditor Priority OrderAn insolvent estate is one where debts exceed assets. Learn the strict order creditors are paid, whether family members inherit the debts.15 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Living Will (Advance Decision) UKA living will, formally called an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment, is legally binding under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.15 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Property UKWhen you inherit a property in England or Wales, CGT is not charged at the point of inheritance, but if you later sell it for more than the probate value.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Court of Protection Deputyship UKIf a person loses mental capacity without an LPA in place, a Court of Protection deputyship is the only way to manage their finances or welfare.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Disabled Person's Trust in a Will UKA disabled person's trust (dpt) in a will lets you leave assets to a disabled loved one without affecting their means-tested benefits.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Grant of Administration with Will Annexed UKWhen a person dies leaving a valid will but no executor can act, a grant of administration with will annexed (administration cta) is issued instead of probate.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Life Tenant Rights UK: What a Life Tenant Can DoA life tenant is entitled to the income or use of trust property during their lifetime.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Valuing an Estate for Probate UKBefore applying for probate, executors must value the deceased's estate for HMRC.14 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Agricultural Property Relief UK5 million per person). Full 2026 guide: what qualifies, the occupation test, tenanted land, the cap, and how to plan farm succession.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Assent in Probate UK: The AS1 Form ExplainedAn assent is the document that transfers property from a deceased person's estate to the beneficiary. For land, an assent must be in writing.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Assets That Don't Need Probate UKWhich assets pass outside probate in England and Wales: jointly owned property, life insurance in trust, pension death benefits, small accounts.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- What Happens If a Beneficiary Dies Before You UKIf a beneficiary dies before you, their gift lapses and falls into residue, unless you name a substitute or the s33 Wills Act exception applies.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Bona Vacantia UK: When Estates Pass to the CrownIf someone dies without a will and has no qualifying relatives under the intestacy rules.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Business Property Relief UK: Cut IHT by Up to 100%Business Property Relief (BPR) can reduce or eliminate inheritance tax on qualifying business assets.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Business Succession Planning UKWhat happens to a sole trader, partnership, or limited company when the owner dies, and how to plan for business succession in England and Wales.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Care Home Fees and Property UKThe council cannot simply seize your house, but your property will be assessed for care fees if you move into residential care and no qualifying relative.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Caveat in Probate UK: How to Stop a Grant IssuingA probate caveat (form PA8) temporarily prevents a Grant of Probate being issued while you investigate or challenge a will.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Chain of Representation UK: When an Executor DiesThe chain of representation (s7 Administration of Estates Act 1925) allows the executor of a deceased executor to step into their role and complete the.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Leaving a Charitable Legacy in Your Will UKHow to leave a gift to charity in your will, the 10% rule that reduces inheritance tax from 40% to 36%, and how to word a charitable legacy correctly.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Choosing an Executor for Your Will UKWho should be executor of your will? The right choice makes estate administration smooth. The wrong one causes family feuds, delays and legal bills.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Codicil to a Will UK: A Cheap Way to Make Small ChangesA codicil lets you amend your will without rewriting it, but it must be signed and witnessed like a will.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Cy-Pres Doctrine UK: When a Charity Gift FailsWhen a charity named in a will no longer exists or cannot be identified.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Deed of Gift UK: Giving Property Away in Your LifetimeWhat a deed of gift is in England and Wales, when you need one, the gift with reservation of benefit rules that can undo the IHT saving.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Deed of Variation UK: Redirect an Inheritance Tax-FreeA deed of variation lets beneficiaries redirect an inheritance within 2 years of death, and HMRC treats the change as if the deceased made it.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Digital Assets and Wills UK: Passing On Your AccountsCryptocurrency, online accounts, and digital assets can be lost forever if not planned for in your will.13 May 2026 · 9 min read
- Discretionary Trust in a Will UKA discretionary trust in a will gives trustees flexibility over who inherits and when, protecting vulnerable beneficiaries and managing inheritance tax.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Divorce and Your Will UK: What Changes AutomaticallyDivorce does not revoke your will in England and Wales, but gifts and executor appointments to an ex-spouse are automatically cancelled.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Domicile and Inheritance UK: Why It Decides Your IHTYour domicile, not your nationality or residence, determines which country's law governs your estate and whether you pay full UK inheritance tax.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Donatio Mortis Causa UK: Deathbed Gifts ExplainedA donatio mortis causa is a conditional gift made in contemplation of death.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Enduring Power of Attorney UK: Is Your EPA Still Valid?Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) were replaced by LPAs in 2007 but old registered EPAs remain valid.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Equity Release and Inheritance Tax UKEquity release (a lifetime mortgage) reduces your estate value and can lower your IHT bill, but also reduces what your beneficiaries inherit.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Estate Administration UK: Step-by-Step for ExecutorsEstate administration is the complete process of collecting a deceased person's assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing to beneficiaries.13 May 2026 · 10 min read
- Excepted Estates UK: Skip the Full IHT AccountMost estates in England and Wales are 'excepted estates', they qualify for simplified IHT reporting and do not need the full IHT400 form.13 May 2026 · 7 min read
- Executor Liability UK: The Risks and How to Avoid ThemAn executor who makes a mistake can be personally liable for losses from the estate.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Executor Renouncing Probate UKAn executor can renounce probate, formally decline to act, using HMCTS form PA15.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- The Executor's Year UK: How Long Beneficiaries WaitThe executor's year is the 12-month period after which beneficiaries can compel distribution.13 May 2026 · 8 min read
- Expression of Wishes Pension UKA pension expression of wishes (nomination form) tells your pension trustees who should receive death benefits.13 May 2026 · 8 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.