Product Description

A Step-by-Step Guide to Wills and Probate explains how to write a simple will, and how to deal with the affairs of someone who has died. It is written in plain language, not lawyers jargon, by authors who have many years experience in the probate offices. It explains when you can do things yourself and when you need a solicitor. The subjects covered include: Making your will: why do it; how to do it; appointing executors; the different gifts that can be made; how to make sure the will is valid and will be put into effect; examples. Who may apply for probate: How to work out who, of the relatives and friends left behind, is the one to sort out a deceased person s affairs. Who inherits if there is no will? The Estate: making sure that all the property and debts are found. Inheritance tax: working out if tax has to be paid, how much, and the arrangements for paying it. Filling in the forms: essential paperwork, with examples. Going to court: the procedure for visiting the probate registry to finalise the paperwork. Administering the estate: collecting together the property; paying the debts; distributing the inheritances.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #298725 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 170 pages

New Law Journal, October 2000
"Just the thing for the trainee solicitor but not to be left for your clients to read in the waiting room"

From the Author
The most common mistake people make when writing a will is to try and make it "sound legal".

About the Author
Keith Biggs is District Probate Registrar at Winchester; he has over twenty years experience in the probate offices. Kevin Donnelly is likewise a very senior and experienced Probate Registry officer. What these authors don't know about wills and probate probably isn't worth knowing.

Customer Reviews

all the basics you need to knwo..
this is a good all round guide to drafting wills and dealing with the difficult task of what to do after a death in terms of winding up an estate. It doesn't go into very complex will drafting but in that instance as the book suggests you would really need to get a solicitor involved. However, it does allow you to draft most types of wills and certainly explains the proceedure following death in a clear and concise manner.

CLEAR AND STRAIGHTFORWARD
This short book covers everything you need to know to obtain a grant of probate and administer an estate, in a clear and straightforward manner. It includes worked examples of the Probate Application Form PA1 and the Inheritance Tax Forms IHT 205 and 200, as well as examples of the grant of probate and a request form for the transfer to shares to a beneficiary. Does what it says on the cover and takes you through 'step-by-step'. Recommended.

Great book
This is a great book and covers most of what you need to know regarding wills and probate.