Glossary
Click on a term to learn it's meaning:

Assets
All and everything, including those jointly, owned by the deceased
Beneficiary
A person entitled to a share of an estate
Bequest
A gift made in a Will of cash or a specific item, not including property
Capital Gains Tax
More often referred to as CGT is the tax payable when selling an asset based on the amount of profit made
Conveyancing
The legal process undertaken in order to dispose of or acquire land and buildings
Chattels
Property other than real estate. Movable possessions which may be included in a sale, for example. furniture, curtains.
Estate
Everything owned and owed by a deceased person
Executor
The person or persons named in a will to administer the estate
Grant of Probate
Usually obtained by the executors appointed in the Will is the document issued by the Probate Registry in favour of the executor(s) allowing them to deal with the estate
Income Tax
Tax payable on income
Inheritance Tax
Often referred to as IHT is the tax payable to the government in respect of the estate and certain lifetime gifts after death
Inheritance Tax Allowance
The amount under which no Inheritance Tax is payable, currently being £325,000
Inheritance Tax Threshold
The amount over which Inheritance Tax becomes payable currently being £325,000
Instrument of Variation
A document varying a will or intestacy after death
Intestate
Meaning that the deceased had no Will
Legacy
A gift made in a Will
Letters of Administration
The authority made by the Probate Office to allow the dealing of an estate where there was no Will
Liability
A debt which must be settled by the estate.  This could include mortgages and loans, Tax and funeral expenses.
Nil Rate Band Discretionary Trust
A trust created in a will to allow the holding of assets up to the Inheritance Tax Allowance
Pecuniary Legacy
A specific gift made in a Will.  For example a sum of money or a specific item
Probate
The process by which an estate is administered
Probate Office or Registry
The body which deals with the Grant of Probate and other matters in relation to Probate
Residue
Often referred to as the Residuary Estate is the amount left after all specific gifts have been made and liabilities been discharged
Residuary Legacy
A gift under a Will relating to the estate after all Pecuniary Legacies have been discharged
Stamp Duty Land Tax
A tax paid by the buyer upon the transfer of property where the consideration exceeds £125,000
Will
The document laying out the deceased’s wishes

Land & Property

In the majority of estates the most significant asset is property, either residential, commercial or sometimes both. At Wills and Probate Countrywide we have over 25 years of experience in dealing with the sale of property and are able to assist with every aspect of the process, including:

  • Instigating a formal valuation for the purpose of the Probate Court
  • Obtaining open market valuations from estate agents and negotiating their fees to ensure that their rates are competitive
  • Ensuring that the property is secure and arranging the appropriate insurances
  • Providing a Home Information Pack prior to the commencement of marketing as now required by the Housing Act
  • Completing the forms and documents which will form part of the conveyancing process
  • Considering any legal title complications and dealing with them as appropriate
  • Arranging final utility accounts and discharging them upon sale
  • Collecting the proceeds of sale and applying them to the estate account, after any mortgages or secured charges have been discharged

We will provide a fixed fee quotation for dealing with the conveyancing process.