The need for a Grant
Organisations holding money in the deceased's name need to know to whom that
money should be paid, and the grant is proof that the person named in it may
collect the money. The estate left when a person dies passes to the people
named in his or her Will. If there is no valid Will it passes to his or her
next of kin. The distribution of the estate to the correct people is the
responsibility of the person named in the grant. The grant is proof to anyone
wishing to see it that the person named in it is entitled to collect in and
distribute the estate.
The Executors
will need a grant to transfer or sell a property held only in the deceased's
name. A house must NOT be advertised for sale too soon after the owner's death
as a sale cannot be completed until the Executors have obtained the grant. The
date of issue of the grant cannot be guaranteed to coincide with the final
stages of any sale.
When a Grant is not needed
Sometimes a grant is not needed and the Executors may wish to ask anyone
holding the deceased's money whether they will release it to the Executors
without seeing a grant. If they agree they may attach conditions. It is for the
Executors to decide which is the cheaper or easier option. The following are
examples of when a grant may not be needed:
There are organisations who may release the money to the Executors without a
grant if the amount held is small and there are no complications. Among these
are Insurance Companies and Building Societies.
The Executors will not usually need a grant when a house is held in joint names
and it is clear that the house automatically becomes the property of the surviving
owner. If the Executors are in doubt on this point they may need to enquire
whether a grant is needed to change the ownership.
Who is entitled to a Grant?
There are rules which govern who may be given a grant, and whether or not one
is issued may depend on the circumstances in a case.
If there is a Will with named Executors they are the first people entitled to a
grant.
If there are no Executors or the Executors are unable or unwilling to apply,
the next person entitled to a grant is any person named in the Will to whom the
deceased gives all his estate, or the remainder after gifts have been paid.
If the deceased has not made a valid Will, application for a grant should
normally be made by his or her next of kin in the following order of priority:
1. Husband or wife
2. Sons or daughters
3. Parents
4. Brothers or sisters
5. More distant relatives
A grant cannot be issued to any person under the age of 18. If there are no
Executors and potential beneficiaries are not sure whether they are entitled to
apply they should still complete and return the forms and the Probate Registry
will let them know.
When more than one person is entitled to a grant the Executors may all obtain a
grant together, however there are a maximum of four applicants allowed. In most
cases only one person needs to obtain a grant, but there are circumstances when
the Executors and another person may need to obtain a grant together. If this
is the case the Probate Registry will let them know as soon as possible after
they have received the application.
If the representatives are asked by someone else to apply on their behalf, a
note should be sent with the application giving the details of that person, and
the reason why they are not applying. If it is not possible to issue the grant
to the Executors the Probate Registry will explain the reasons.
How to Apply for a Grant
The five stages for applying for a grant are:
1. obtain the application forms
2. choose where the Executors or Personal Representatives wish to be interviewed
3. complete the application forms
4. return them, with the death certificate and the original Will to the
appropriate Probate Registry
5. attend the interview
The Forms to Use
The following
forms may be obtained from the nearest Probate Registry.
The Probate Application Form - this form asks for details of the deceased and
Executors or personal representative as applicants.
Account of the Estate - this form asks the Executors to give a full account of
the deceased's estate. The Executors should try to obtain the full value of all
items shown, including any interest or bonus which will be paid. Any money due
from the deceased's employer should be included. The full market value of any
house should be shown, although a professional valuation is not normally
required. The value of household goods, jewellery and belongings should be
shown as the amount for which they should be sold.
To be sent with the forms
When the Executors return the forms they should also send;
1. The death certificate
2. The original Will (or any document in which the deceased expresses any
wishes about the distribution of his or her estate)
The Probate Registry advise the Executors to make and keep a copy of any Will
they send with the forms.
The Executors must send the forms and any other post either to the Probate
Registry where the Executors wish to be interviewed or to the Probate Registry
which controls the local offices where the Executors wish to be interviewed.
For the nearest Probate Registry check your local Yellow Pages.
For an information pack call The Probate Registry on 020 7947 6983 or visit www.courtservice.gov.uk
Post must NOT be sent to the local offices which will delay the application.
The Executors must attend at least one informal interview to enable a grant to
be issued. The Executors must state on the probate application form which is
the most convenient place for the Executors to attend. After the Probate
Registry have received the application they will send the Executors an
appointment for an interview. The interview can take place either at a Probate
Registry or at one of its local offices.
>Why the Interview is needed
The purpose of the interview is to confirm the details the Executors have given
and to answer any queries the Executors may have. To complete the application
the Executors will be asked to sign a form of oath, and to swear or affirm
before the interviewing officer that the information the Executors have given
is true to the best of their knowledge. In most cases only one interview is
required.
If the application is complicated there may be additional documents to be
signed, or the Executors may be asked to contact other people (for example a
witness to the Will) so that the Probate Registry can interview them or obtain
their signatures to documents.
Fees for obtaining a Grant
In all cases a fee has to be paid. The amount of the fee depends on the size of
the estate involved, and cannot be worked out until the details are confirmed
at the interview. The grant will not be issued until the fee is paid.
Paying Tax
In cases where Inheritance Tax is payable a grant cannot be issued until tax
has been paid.
The issue of the grant does not imply that all values submitted are agreed by
the Inland Revenue and correspondence may take place when the account is
returned to the Capital Taxes Registry.
Tax becomes due 6 months after the end of the month in which the deceased died.
Interest is charged on unpaid tax from and including the due date whatever the
reason for late payment. If the Executors have any queries about tax and
interest which they want to deal with before they apply for a grant, they
should contact The Capital Taxes Registry on 0115 974 2400 or visit www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/cto.
After the Interview
After the interview the grant will be prepared by the Probate Registry and sent
to the Executors by post. The interviewing officer should be able to give the
Executors an estimate of how long it will be before the grant is issued. When
the Executors receive the grant they should show it to any person or
organisation holding the deceased's money or property who has asked to see it.
The money and property will then be released to the Executors. Copies of the
grant may be obtained from the Probate Registry and are only valid if they bear
the impressed seal of the Court. If the Executors have any questions about the
figures in the estate, or the amount of tax payable, they should contact the
Capital Taxes registry.
Responsibilities of the Probate Registries
The Probate Registry is responsible for making sure that an applicant is
entitled to be given a grant, and that any Will produced appears to be properly
made. If there is any doubt as to whether the Will left by the deceased is
valid, or where it appears a Will has been altered or amended the Probate
Registry may wish to interview at least one of the witnesses. The Probate
Registry has to prepare the documents needed to complete the application and to
issue the grant itself. The responsibility of the Probate Registry ends when
the grant is issued.
Professional Executors
As you can see
from the guidelines above, obtaining probate can be up extremely complex. For
this reason, it is worth appointing a professional executor to handle your
estate on behalf of your other executors. The Society of Will Writers
recommends Kings Court Trust
Corporation plc - the probate specialists.
By appointing Kings Court Trust
Corporation to be your Executor and Trustee, you can rest safe in the
knowledge that the administration of your estate, wherever it is in the world,
will be dealt with by experts in a professional, efficient and caring manner.
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