How often should I update my will?

A will should be reviewed whenever there is a significant change in your circumstances, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, the purchase of property, or a substantial change in assets.

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. It usually involves obtaining a Grant of Probate (or Letters of Administration where there is no will), collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

What is the inheritance tax threshold?

Most individuals benefit from a Nil Rate Band and many homeowners may also qualify for the Residence Nil Rate Band when leaving a home to direct descendants. Married couples and civil partners may also transfer unused allowances.

Can gifts reduce inheritance tax?

Potentially. Lifetime gifts can reduce inheritance tax, although the rules are complex. In many cases gifts become exempt if the donor survives for seven years after making them.

Can I protect my home from care fees?

There is no guaranteed way to protect a home from future care fee assessments. However, trusts and estate planning strategies may be appropriate in some circumstances and specialist legal advice should be obtained.

A trust is a legal arrangement where assets are held by trustees for the benefit of beneficiaries. Trusts are commonly used for estate planning, asset protection, inheritance tax planning and providing for vulnerable beneficiaries.

Can inheritance tax be avoided completely?

In some cases inheritance tax can be reduced significantly through careful estate planning using exemptions, reliefs, gifts, trusts and spousal transfers. Whether tax can be eliminated entirely depends on individual circumstances.

What does an executor do?

An executor administers the estate of someone who has died. Their duties usually include obtaining probate, collecting assets, paying debts and taxes, dealing with HMRC and distributing the estate to beneficiaries.

Is probate always required?

No. Whether probate is required depends on the type and value of the assets. Jointly owned assets may pass automatically to the surviving owner and some institutions release smaller balances without a grant.

Can I make a will if I own property jointly?

Yes. The way property is owned, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, can have significant implications for inheritance and estate planning, making legal advice worthwhile.

What is estate planning?

Estate planning involves organising your affairs so that your assets pass according to your wishes, unnecessary tax is minimised where possible, vulnerable family members are protected and the administration of your estate is made easier.

When should I seek professional legal advice?

Professional advice is particularly valuable if you own property, have substantial assets, operate a business, have a blended family, wish to use trusts or have concerns about inheritance tax or future care costs.

Wills & Inheritance Tax 2026: Expert UK IHT Planning & Probate Guide

Q: Do I need a solicitor to make a will?

No. In England and Wales you can write your own will, but many DIY wills fail because they are not properly drafted, signed or witnessed. A solicitor can help ensure your wishes are legally effective and that your estate is structured in the most tax-efficient way possible.

Q: What happens if I die without a will?

If you die without a valid will, your estate is distributed under the rules of intestacy. This means the law decides who inherits your assets, which may not reflect your personal wishes.

Q: Can a will be challenged?

Yes. A will can be challenged on grounds such as lack of capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution, or under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 if certain people have not been reasonably provided for.

Q: How long does probate take?

The timescale depends on the complexity of the estate. Straightforward estates may be completed within several months, while more complex estates involving inheritance tax, property or disputes can take considerably longer.

Q: What is inheritance tax?

Inheritance Tax is a tax charged on the value of an estate above the available tax-free allowances. The standard rate is generally 40% on the taxable part of an estate, although exemptions and reliefs may apply.

Q: What is the seven-year rule?

The seven-year rule generally refers to lifetime gifts. If the donor survives for seven years after making the gift, it may fall outside their estate for inheritance tax purposes.

Short Answer – The Will Hub contains all your latest updates about making wills and codicils, probate and intestacy applications, Inheritance tax IHT, probate claims, entering and removing a caveat, your planning your legacy.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Wills, Probate and Inheritance Tax

Do I need a solicitor to make a Will?

No. There is no legal requirement to use a solicitor when making a Will. However, mistakes in drafting or execution can lead to disputes, delays in administering an estate, or parts of the Will being declared invalid. Professional advice may be particularly helpful where there are second marriages, business interests, overseas assets, trusts, or concerns about inheritance tax.

What happens if I die without a Will?

If you die without a valid Will, your estate will be distributed according to the intestacy rules. These rules determine who inherits and in what proportions. The outcome may not reflect your wishes and can create difficulties for unmarried partners, stepchildren, or other loved ones you intended to benefit.

How often should I review my Will?

As a general rule, a Will should be reviewed whenever you change your intentions about your estate and who should received it on your death. Every three to five years and whenever there is a significant change in circumstances. Examples include marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, the acquisition of substantial assets, or changes in tax legislation.

Can I change my Will after it has been signed?

Yes. A Will can usually be amended by a formal document known as a codicil or by preparing a new Will. The appropriate option will depend on the nature and extent of the changes required. After death, the executors and beneficiaries can vary your will if they agree and within two years of death.

What is Probate?

Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate. Probate give you a title to the deceased’s assets. It may involve obtaining a Grant of Probate, collecting assets, settling debts and taxes, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries in accordance with the Will or intestacy rules.

How long does Probate take?

The timescale varies depending on the size and complexity of the estate. Simple estates may be administered within a few months, while estates involving property sales, inheritance tax issues, foreign assets or disputes can take considerably longer.

Who is responsible for administering an estate?

The responsibility usually falls to the executors named in the Will. If there is no Will, the court may appoint administrators. These individuals are responsible for collecting assets, paying liabilities and ensuring the estate is distributed correctly.

What is Inheritance Tax?

Inheritance Tax is a tax charged on certain estates following death. Whether tax is payable depends on the value of the estate, the available allowances and exemptions, and who inherits the assets.

How much Inheritance Tax might be payable?

The amount depends on the circumstances of the estate. Various allowances, exemptions and reliefs may apply, including the Nil Rate Band and the Residence Nil Rate Band. Professional advice may help identify available reliefs and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements.

Can gifts made during my lifetime reduce Inheritance Tax?

Potentially, yes. Certain lifetime gifts may fall outside the estate for inheritance tax purposes if specific conditions are met. However, complex rules apply and gifts can sometimes have unintended tax consequences.

What is the seven-year rule?

The seven-year rule generally relates to certain lifetime gifts. If the person making the gift survives for seven years after the gift is made, the value of that gift may no longer be included in their estate for inheritance tax purposes. The detailed rules are more complex and professional advice may be appropriate. Potentially investigations can go back 14 years for failed gifts.

Can a Will be challenged?

Yes. In some circumstances a Will may be challenged. Common grounds include concerns regarding capacity, undue influence, fraud, improper execution, or claims brought under inheritance legislation by individuals who believe they have not been adequately provided for.

What is a trust?

A trust is a legal arrangement whereby assets are held by trustees for the benefit of beneficiaries. Trusts can be used for asset protection, tax planning, succession planning and providing for vulnerable beneficiaries, although their suitability depends on individual circumstances.

Can a trust help with estate planning?

In some cases, trusts can form part of a wider estate planning strategy. However, they are not suitable for everyone and should be considered carefully in light of current tax and legal rules.

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney allows an individual to appoint trusted people to make decisions on their behalf if they lose mental capacity in the future. Separate powers can be created for financial matters and health and welfare decisions.

Is estate planning only for wealthy individuals?

No. Estate planning is relevant for many people regardless of wealth. It can help ensure assets pass according to your wishes, minimise potential disputes, provide for loved ones and simplify matters for those dealing with your affairs after death.

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Introduction to the Wills and IHT Hub

Making a will can be easy with AI. But it’s easy to fall into traps, particularly evidencing how a will is prepared. This give rise to claims or presumptions relating to deprivation of assets for lifetime gifts, and lack of testamentary capacity for the will itself, and undue influence. Frequently, inheritance tax can be reduced with a small amount of planning and structuring, and reliefs need to be identified and claimed in order to benefit from them.

These presumptions can be very difficult to overcome unless you take the right steps when you prepare the will. Lost IHT is difficult to recover, and in practise it may never be recovered in full or not without additional costs.

These articles to help you understand inheritance tax, how to plan your estate, social care issues and deprivation of capital claims. If you can’t find what you’re looking for use the contact page to ask directly

Welcome to the Wills & Inheritance Tax Hub 2026

Expert guidance on wills, inheritance tax planning, probate, trusts, and estate protection. With major Inheritance Tax changes coming in 2026 and 2027 (especially on pensions, APR/BPR relief caps, and downsizing), proper planning has never been more important. A well-structured will and estate plan can save hundreds of thousands in tax and protect your family from disputes and care home fees.