Probate DIY vs Professional Input
Posted: May 20th, 2024, 8:12 pm
Further to my previous thread, my widowed friend has sadly passed away, leaving two teenage children as beneficiaries. There are two executors (including me), and the other will also be acting as a Guardian.
I have assembled all the paperwork and a spreadsheet of assets (no debts) broadly:
Current accounts, savings accounts (fixed-interest bonds), premium bonds, shares, house and assets (inside IHT): £1.3m
[IHT threshold is £1m (I believe) due to the inherited widows allowances].
Life insurance and pensions with the kids as named beneficiaries (outside IHT): £400k
Existing trusts and bonds for kids (outside IHT) already in kids names: £350k each (£100k aged 18, £250k aged 25)
I have done some early notification to the pension companies, insurers, etc., but, given the size of the estate, need to understand how much I can do before leaning on professional probate solicitors, accountants (for IHT calcs), and financial advisors (for wealth management). I am reasonably financially savvy, so could save some costs (and time) by doing the groundwork and having it prepared for professional input. On the other hand, we can go directly to the professionals if that is the safest route. My initial concern is ensuring early continuity of household finances for the Guardian.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
I have assembled all the paperwork and a spreadsheet of assets (no debts) broadly:
Current accounts, savings accounts (fixed-interest bonds), premium bonds, shares, house and assets (inside IHT): £1.3m
[IHT threshold is £1m (I believe) due to the inherited widows allowances].
Life insurance and pensions with the kids as named beneficiaries (outside IHT): £400k
Existing trusts and bonds for kids (outside IHT) already in kids names: £350k each (£100k aged 18, £250k aged 25)
I have done some early notification to the pension companies, insurers, etc., but, given the size of the estate, need to understand how much I can do before leaning on professional probate solicitors, accountants (for IHT calcs), and financial advisors (for wealth management). I am reasonably financially savvy, so could save some costs (and time) by doing the groundwork and having it prepared for professional input. On the other hand, we can go directly to the professionals if that is the safest route. My initial concern is ensuring early continuity of household finances for the Guardian.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated.