Estate Worth: Inventory and Assets

[JustAThought]

Has anyone been able to get an estate's worth or a copy of an Executors probate application BEFORE probate is granted?

My family members do not know what their percentage inheritance share is worth and putting up a battle against a perceived dodgy Will seems risky at this point.

This estate has no residuary beneficiaries.

[PallasAthena]

If the estate has no residuary beneficiaries who gets the estate after specified legacies to named beneficiaries have been paid out?

There is no legal way for anyone to get an Estate's value or a copy of the will before Probate is granted (other than a court order). Probate only gives the estate total value, no breakdown. The only breakdown (if it is required, depends on size of estate) would be on the HMRC IHT forms and HMRC will not disclose those to you, they are covered by taxpayer confidentiality rules.

After Probate residuary beneficiaries are entitled to ask for the Estate accounts (in some limited circumstances, eg insolvent estate, others may be entitled to see the accounts - Can a Beneficiary of a Will See the Estate Accounts? (co-oplegalservices.co.uk) ).

However there is nothing to stop other beneficiaries asking for information before probate, or for information after probate that don't have a legal right to see. It is at the discretion of the Executor whether to provide it. Otherwise you would have to seek a court order as part of litigation challenging the will or the executor's actions.

That's one of the risks of litigation, not knowing what the estate is worth. If there is property involved you should be able to estimate its value from property websites and the Land Registry title would tell you if there is an outstanding mortgage or other loan or charge secured on it (but not how much).

[JustAThought]

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

We got a copy of the Will because of a savvy existing tenant whomade a claim on the estate for their tenancy deposit and they ask the Executors to show just proof who they were and that they were appointed. Other6the tenant was staying put in the million pound house!!! We kinda adore that tenant!

Turns out the 100% of the estate is split by percentages for different groups of beneficiaries. All beneficiaries therefore get a share out of all the worldwide assets. Nothing to say it should be sold or just divided by percentage on the titles. Tax is said to be a quarter of a million pounds and interest is mounting.n

The Estate is worldwide. We managed to get the Executors ledger for work they did on the estate. Headliners with dates and costs...

Dispute is the stepchild arranged it all. Their ontact details. They earmarked 95% for self and inner circle and 5% for blood children.
Probate application is on hold

[PallasAthena]

Turns out the 100% of the estate is split by percentages for different groups of beneficiaries. All beneficiaries therefore get a share out of all the worldwide assets.

In which case they are all residuary beneficiaries.

[JustAThought]

Fantastic! Thank you