After Someone Dies

Chapter 4 — Does This Estate Need Probate?

Families often assume that every death leads to probate. That is not correct.

Some estates require a formal grant before property, money or investments can be dealt with. Others can be administered without one. The answer depends on the assets, how they were owned and the requirements of the organisations holding them.

It is also important to use the terms correctly. A person does not simply “qualify for probate”. The first questions are:

1. Does the estate require a grant of representation?

2. If a grant is required, who has the legal right to apply?

This chapter provides an early route check. A final answer may not be possible until the will has been found and the assets have been identified.

What probate means

Probate is commonly used as a general name for the legal authority to administer an estate.

Where there is a valid will and an executor is appointed, the court normally issues a grant of probate.

Where there is no valid will, the court normally issues letters of administration to an eligible administrator.

There are also less common forms of grant for particular circumstances. Together, these documents are known as grants of representation.

A grant confirms the authority of the personal representative to collect estate assets, pay liabilities and distribute what remains.

It does not decide every possible argument about the estate. It does not guarantee that the will cannot be challenged, remove the duty to pay debts or allow the personal representative to ignore beneficiaries' rights.

When a grant may not be needed

A grant may not be required where the deceased owned very little in their sole name and the organisations holding the assets are willing to release them without one.

Examples may include:

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<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">a jointly owned bank account that passes to the surviving owner;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">a property owned with another person as joint tenants;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">a pension or life policy payable directly to a named beneficiary or under a provider's discretion; or

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="60" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">assets held in trust that do not pass through the estate.

This does not mean that every asset in those categories automatically avoids the estate. The terms of the account, policy, trust or ownership must be checked.

Even when no grant is required, the estate still has to be administered correctly. Debts, tax, funeral expenses, possessions and any money released without a grant must still be dealt with by the appropriate person.

There is no single small-estate limit

There is no universal figure below which probate is never required.

Banks, building societies, share registrars and investment providers set their own requirements. One organisation may release an account without a grant while another may require a grant for a smaller balance.

Their limits and procedures can change. Do not rely on an amount remembered from a previous estate or found in an old article.

Contact every organisation holding an asset and ask:

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<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">who is entitled to complete its indemnity or closure form; and

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="60" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">whether it will pay funeral costs directly before releasing the balance.

Obtain the answer in writing where possible.

An organisation agreeing to release money without a grant does not decide who ultimately inherits it. The recipient must still account for it as part of the estate unless it passes outside the estate.

Solely owned property

A grant will usually be required if the deceased owned a house, flat or land in their sole name and it must be sold or transferred.

The property can be valued and preparations can be made while the application is progressing. An estate agent may market the property in suitable circumstances, but the sale normally cannot be completed until the grant has been issued.

Before putting a property on the market, the family should confirm who is entitled to act, obtain an appropriate valuation and take legal advice on the proposed sale.

If the property was registered in the name of somebody else, do not assume the deceased had no interest in it. There may have been a trust, partnership, contribution or other beneficial interest requiring investigation.

Jointly owned property

Joint ownership must be checked carefully. There are two principal ways in which land or property can be jointly owned in England and Wales.

Joint tenants own the property together without separate defined shares. When one owner dies, the property normally passes automatically to the surviving joint owner or owners by survivorship. The deceased's interest does not pass under the will.

Tenants in common own separate shares. The deceased's share forms part of their estate and passes under their will or the intestacy rules. A grant may be needed to deal with that share.

The words used in everyday conversation do not establish the legal ownership. Two people describing a home as “jointly owned” may be joint tenants or tenants in common.

Check the Land Registry title and any trust deed, severance notice or conveyancing documents. A conveyancer may be needed to explain the position.

A restriction on the title may indicate tenants-in-common ownership, but the complete documentation and circumstances should be considered.

Joint bank accounts

Money in a joint bank account will often pass to the surviving account holder, and the bank may transfer the account into that person's sole name without a grant.

However, the name on the account is not always the end of the matter. Questions may arise about who contributed the money, why the account was opened and whether the survivor was intended to own the balance.

This is particularly important where an elderly person added a relative to an account merely to help pay bills.

Do not treat a substantial joint-account balance as belonging to the survivor without considering the purpose and history of the account. Obtain legal advice if ownership is disputed or unclear.

Pensions, life insurance and death-in-service benefits

Some pension death benefits, life policies and employment benefits are paid directly to a nominated person or at the discretion of trustees. They may not form part of the estate and may not require a grant.

Other policies are payable to the estate and must be included in the estate administration.

Contact each provider and ask:

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<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="60" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">which documents must be supplied.

A nomination or expression-of-wish form may guide a pension trustee without always being legally binding on that trustee.

Do not promise a pension or insurance payment to a beneficiary before the provider has confirmed the position.

Shares and investments

Share registrars, investment platforms and National Savings and Investments have their own procedures and financial limits.

Some holdings may be transferred or sold under a small-estates procedure. Others require a grant.

Record each holding separately. Obtain the date-of-death value even if the provider says that it will release the asset without a grant, because the value may still be needed for estate and tax reporting.

Do not use the current value as a substitute for the value at the date of death. Prices may have risen or fallen since then.

Personal possessions alone

An estate containing only furniture, clothing, household goods and other personal possessions may not require a grant.

That does not mean the possessions can be divided immediately.

The will or intestacy rules still determine who is entitled to them. Valuable items may require professional valuation. Debts and funeral expenses may also have to be paid before beneficiaries receive anything.

If possessions need to be sold to meet liabilities, the person acting should keep a clear inventory and record of all sale proceeds.

Debts do not create a right to probate

An estate can have debts even when it holds few assets.

Creditors do not make a family member personally liable merely because they are related to the deceased. Liability may arise, however, if someone was jointly responsible for the debt, guaranteed it, signed a new agreement or mishandled the estate.

Do not pay debts from personal funds without understanding the position. Do not distribute assets while liabilities remain uncertain.

If the estate may owe more than it owns, stop and obtain advice about administering an insolvent estate. Payments must be made in the correct order, and getting that order wrong can expose the person acting to personal liability.

Who can apply when there is a will?

When there is a valid will, the executors named in it normally have the first right to apply for a grant of probate.

A beneficiary who is not an executor cannot simply apply because they expect to inherit.

An executor may decide to act, reserve power or renounce their appointment. These choices have different consequences and should not be made casually.

An executor who has already interfered substantially in the administration may have difficulty renouncing later.

If an executor has died, lacks capacity, cannot be found, is under 18 or refuses to cooperate, special rules may apply. Professional advice may be needed to identify the correct applicant.

Who can apply when there is no will?

If there is no valid will, there is no executor.

The person with the highest legal priority under the intestacy rules may apply to become the administrator. This is normally the surviving husband, wife or civil partner, followed by adult children, although the full order depends on which relatives survive.

An unmarried partner does not automatically have the same right as a husband, wife or civil partner, regardless of how long the couple lived together.

Stepchildren do not automatically have the same status as biological or legally adopted children under the intestacy rules.

Where several people have equal priority, they should agree who will apply. Disagreement, minority beneficiaries or other complications may require specialist advice.

When the answer is not yet known

At an early stage, the family may not know whether a grant is needed. That is normal.

Use the following provisional test:

1. Find the latest valid will, if one exists.

2. Identify the executors or the person with priority on intestacy.

3. List every asset and how it was owned.

4. Obtain the date-of-death value of each asset.

5. Ask every asset holder whether it requires a grant.

6. Check the legal ownership of any land or property.

7. Identify assets that may pass outside the estate.

8. Record all known debts and potential tax liabilities.

9. Do not distribute anything until the overall position is clear.

If no organisation requires a grant and there is no property or other asset needing one, the estate may be administered without a probate application.

If even one important asset holder requires a grant, an application will usually be necessary.

Do not confuse “no probate” with “nothing to do”

An estate that does not require a grant can still involve significant work.

Someone must still:

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The absence of a probate application removes one formal step. It does not remove the duties involved in administering the estate.

Early probate check

The estate is more likely to require a grant if:

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">the deceased owned land or property solely or as a tenant in common;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">a bank, investment provider or share registrar requires one;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">substantial assets were held in the deceased's sole name;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">a claim must be brought or continued on behalf of the estate;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">an asset holder will not release funds under its small-estates procedure; or

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="60" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">the ownership of an important asset must be formally transferred.

The estate may not require a grant if:

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">all substantial assets pass automatically to surviving joint owners;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">all remaining sole assets are within each holder's release procedure;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">benefits and policies are payable directly outside the estate;

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="0" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">there is no solely owned or tenants-in-common property; and

<w:left w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:bottom w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:right w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/><w:between w:space="0" w:sz="0" w:val="nil"/></w:pBdr><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:spacing w:after="60" w:before="0" w:line="271" w:lineRule="auto"/><w:ind w:left="340" w:right="0" w:hanging="227"/><w:jc w:val="left"/><w:rPr/></w:pPr><w:r w:rsidDel="00000000" w:rsidR="00000000" w:rsidRPr="00000000"><w:rPr><w:rFonts w:ascii="Georgia" w:cs="Georgia" w:eastAsia="Georgia" w:hAnsi="Georgia"/><w:b w:val="0"/><w:bCs w:val="0"/><w:i w:val="0"/><w:iCs w:val="0"/><w:smallCaps w:val="0"/><w:strike w:val="0"/><w:color w:val="000000"/><w:sz w:val="20"/><w:szCs w:val="20"/><w:u w:val="none"/><w:shd w:fill="auto" w:val="clear"/><w:vertAlign w:val="baseline"/><w:rtl w:val="0"/></w:rPr><w:t xml:space="preserve">no other organisation or transaction requires formal authority.

This check provides direction, not a final legal determination. Where ownership, entitlement or solvency is uncertain, obtain advice before dealing with the assets.

The next step is to establish a sensible family agreement about communication and disputes before the contents of the will become a source of conflict.

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About Harry Georgiou

Harry Georgiou is the owner of Swifty Clearances, a waste clearance business. He writes about responsible waste disposal, fly-tipping prevention, and the practical steps households and businesses can take to avoid inadvertently funding illegal waste operations.

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Chapter 4 — Does This Estate Need Probate?

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