Report comment

Agree with many that it will assist the unscrupulous and increase genuine mistakes.

Part of the problem will be that to the lay person 'Probate' is administering an estate, it is isn't. Obtaining Probate is only one aspect of that process.

Couple this with the increased probate fees and I guarantee people will take it into their own hands on what they declare......a few K knocked off that bank balance and hey presto, they've 'saved' on the Probate fee hike. This already happens.

Good to see the ILM saying solicitors are best placed to deal with charitable estates, assuming the lay Executor intends to follow the Will correctly that is.

I'm starting to think evidence of assets should be submitted with all applications, Excepted or not.

Another facilitator to incorrect estate administration are the banks. If an estate has accounts with Lloyds, Nat West, Santander, Halifax all with just under £50K in each, then good chance someone could have just shy of £200K sat in their accounts by tea time.

Don't get me started on the income tax/CGT that isn't being declared in estate admin, or the VAT lost on professional charges as increasingly people believe everything is so easy cos the internet said, or the internet let me do it this way so job done........all facilitated by the Govt .....oh, hang on a minute.....