Cover letters - Inheritance Tax valuation and Probate applications

[RiftGibbon]

I can't afford to have a solicitor handle it for me, but am making these applications myself in respect of a recently deceased relative.

In the will I am one of two named executors (who are also beneficiaries).

I've completed all the forms and am just double-checking before I submit them but I wondered if I should include some sort of cover letter? And if so, what should it say?

Why don't you get a solicitor who provides probate services to quote how much it woukd cosy to review what you're doing 're probate. It's not going to cost much and that charge can reasonably come out of the deceased's estate before the residual amounts are distributed to beneficiaries. It's difficult for anyone on here to advise reliably on such a vague remit.

The solicitor wanted £250 per hour plus Vat. I can't afford that.
All I wanted to know was whether a cover letter was necessary. E.g.

Dear sirs
Enclosed are forms xx relating to (Name of deceased). I also enclose death certificate etc.

I have no concerns about how to fill out the forms themselves, so sorry if that wasn't clear in my original post.

Your original point was clear thanks. If you want to include a cover letter which lists

• all the enclosures such as official documents (originals you need them to return),
• the ref number/title of the form
• request to confirm receipt of your documentation.

It will be a reminder of what you've sent and date you submitted the form and the address you sent it.

No need for a solicitor and the probate office is very helpful if you ring them.
I just posted off the forms without a letter. Keep copies so you know what you sent.

Thanks both.
Yes, aiming to scan everything tomorrow and post first thing Monday.

I paid a solicitor £3k to deal with a late relatives probate.
Felt like a complete waste of money HMRC probate dept are very helpful and easier to get hold of than the other departments.

You are just filling in a form, unless the estate is very complicated (trusts etc) most people will be able to fill the form in without a solicitor.

I had to gather all the info for the solicitor anyway, they then charged £3k literally just to fill the form in and to take fees/payment due for HMRC.

I have since been dealing with the estate myself (mine is more complicated than most in that it can't be wrapped up for several years) and it's very easy.

I don't regret getting a solicitor in the first instance because I was a one of many equal beneficiaries and therefore the £3k bill was split lots of ways and my time was worth more than that because I doubt the other beneficiaries would have wanted me to be paid for my time if I had filled in the forms.

Alternatively, speak to a properly qualified and experienced solicitor if you need legal advice

I didn’t bother with cover letters. I just sent the forms.

Come to think of it, I didn’t send anything as I did it all online.

I sent the IHT forms without a covering letter and did the Probate online.

I am dealing with this at the moment except the solicitors were named as the executors so we had no choice but to let them do it. They charged £150/hr + vat (we're in greater London) They said they would estimate it costing 2-3k + vat

All sent now. I used the covering letter as a checklist to confirm enclosures.
Probably be waiting months now for them to sort it as the queries and payment lines on the info are never answered!

They answered the phone to me after about 5 minutes.

I could start a new thread but does anyone know if a solicitor would just deal with the money; e.g. funds from savings and house sale go to solicitor bank account, who then distributes it? All the rest I have done myself.

The Solicitor dealing with the house sale should transfer the money to whoever you state. So if you want it all passed to you you can do that and then split it as stated. Or if there are 2 beneficiaries you can request they send you half each. Bear in mind you will incur 2x TT fees.
When I dealt with a relatives estate I used a previously dormant bank account and all the funds received from savings accounts and the like were paid in there. Any bills due we’re paid from there and then when everything was settled the remaining sum was shared accordingly. The house sale was TTd to each beneficiary accordingly but there was obv a paper trail to show how this had been split.
I would agree with all above probate is a very simple thing to do yourself and does not need a solicitors involvement. The probate service are extremely helpful and provided you have all the info to hand it is a reasonably straightforward process.