The fourth edition of A Practitioner's Guide to Probate and the Administration of Estates is a practical and comprehensive guide to all forms of non-contentious probate applications, completion of Inheritance Tax Accounts and the administration of estates. The book is packed with hints and tips and an accompanying CD-ROM contains a comprehensive set of precedent forms, enabling practitioners to adapt precedents for their own use. The authors provide careful explanations of every step in the procedure for winding up the estate of a deceased person, from taking initial instructions to the final distribution of the estate and closing the file. The book opens with advice on meeting the client and taking proper instructions; moving on to tracking down the assets and liabilities which comprise the estate; completing inheritance tax forms and obtaining any available reliefs and allowances; questions concerning wills and intestacies; applying to the probate registries; discretionary orders; obtaining grants of representation; collecting in the paying debts and liabilities; identifying the beneficiaries and paying the legacies; finalising the tax situation; and distributing the residue of the estate. This new edition has been completely revised with practice and procedure brought up-to-date,

This book explains how to write a simple will, and how to deal with the affairs of someone who has died. This new edition is completely revised and updated, and is written in plain language by an author who has many years' experience in the probate registries. 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. * 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. * Going to court: the procedure for visiting the probate registry to finalise paperwork when this is requested by you and, when not, the procedure for swearing oaths before solicitors. * Administering the estate: collecting together the property; paying the debts, distributing the inheritances.