What about you?  Are you recently a first time buyer?  Or, are you on the dreaded conveyancing wheel as a first time buyer right now?  How are you finding it?  What do you think solicitors could do better to help your particular concerns?  Let us know!

check out some of our articles aimed at the questions that first time buyers might have when making the very exciting step to buy their very first home! https://qlaw.co.uk/conveyancing/first-time-buyer-how-much-does-it-cost-to-buy-a-house/ https://qlaw.co.uk/conveyancing/a-simple-conveyancing-guide-for-first-time-buyers/ https://qlaw.co.uk/conveyancing/first-time-buyers-who-does-what-when-buying-a-house/ First Time Buyer - Choosing a Conveyancing Solicitor (qlaw.co.uk)

Hi Dave and thanks so much for your question. Yes, IHT is potentially payable against a whole estate, not just residue. And/but yes, gifts to charities are exempt from IHT. Also, if you leave more than 10% of your estate to charity then the remainder of your estate is charged at a reduced IHT rate of 36% rather than 40%. [...]

Hi there,Given your situation, it's crucial to consult with divorce financial settlement lawyers. They can provide specific advice on whether your ex-husband can claim part of your inheritance and what steps you can take to protect it. Generally, if the financial settlement wasn't addressed during the divorce, he might have a claim. However, a lawyer can guide you on how [...]

Hey Andre, and thanks so much for reaching out to QLAW. Whilst we cannot advise you specifically on your particular circumstances, this query does come up from time and time and is essentially one of a practical nature. If you (or anyone else) can 'buy out' the share wanting to leave then great. If you cannot, then there is no [...]

Hi and thank you for your question! This is an ongoing problem for many - with conflicting advice being given by HMRC and the Probate Registry. On the facts that you have provided, yes, it seems to be excepted. We suggest you call HMRC IHT Helpline to get a view from them, and then if the Probate Registry rejects your [...]

Hi and thanks for your question. Bank accounts are ‘valued’ for probate purposes as being the balance at close of business on the date of death, PLUS any interest that has accrued to that date, but has not yet been credited.

Thanks so much for visiting QLAW, and for your question. Once probate is granted then anyone can obtain a copy of a will as it becomes what is known as a ‘public document’. This is true whether they feature in the will or not. Prior to the grant of probate, it would be unusual for anyone other than residuary beneficiaries [...]

Thanks for your reply Neil. I am happy to apply for probate but I just wasn’t sure whether I needed to obtain form IHT400 first, or whether as an excepted estate the form wasn’t necessary.

Hi Darrell, and thanks for your query. Yes, I agree, the HMRC guidance on what can and cannot pass through the excepted estate procedure is in parts ambiguous! As I am sure you are aware, there are issues beyond just values that may apply (eg lifetime gifts, trusts, assets abroad), but if there is a property, then there should be [...]