Everything David set up is here for you. We’ll point out the few things that are gently time-sensitive, show you the estate David catalogued, and walk you through the tax and probate steps when you’re ready. You don’t have to do it all today.
SR
Sarah Richards — executor access confirmed
Daughter · named primary executor in David’s registered will
✓Confirmed as executor · matched to the registered will
✓Identity checked · via Thirdfort, 30 Mar
📂You can now view the full estate, items, accounts & property
✉️You can send the pre-drafted notification letters
💬You can open the new Administration channel
🔒You cannot change the will or David’s recorded wishes
Co-executor: James Richards (son) also has access and was notified. Margaret Richards is the substitute executor — she steps in only if needed. Everyone sees only what their role allows.
Biscuit is being cared for
David’s notes have gone to Paul, who agreed to take him. Fed twice daily (7am, 5pm); spare key with Jean at No. 25. Just a quick call to confirm helps.
Call Paul to confirm →
Life insurance can be claimed when you’re ready
David’s Aviva policy (£250,000) names Margaret. It pays directly to her, outside the estate — so it isn’t held up by probate. No deadline today.
See how to claim →
David’s will is registered and located. National Will Register ref NWR-2026-84521 · registered by Hoole & Pemberton Solicitors · original held in their Swansea strongroom. This is confirmed as his latest will.
Search for any later will →
Here’s the path ahead — register the death, value the estate, report to HMRC, pay any inheritance tax, apply for probate, then share things out. We’ll prepare what we can and stay beside you. This is what we’ll help you through, in plain words.
Dates & IHT figures computed against INHERIT · E&W Tax · reviewed: Stable
✓
Register the death
The first legal step — done at the register office. You’ll be given certified copies, which the bank and others will ask for.
2
Value the estate
Add up what David owned — home, savings, possessions — and take away any debts. David catalogued most of this already, so you’re well ahead.
£560,000
estate value
3
Report to HMRC on the IHT account (form IHT400)
The IHT400 is HMRC’s full inheritance-tax return. Executors complete it when an estate may owe tax, listing the assets, gifts, and the tax-free allowances claimed. We can pre-fill most of it from David’s records.
4
Pay any inheritance tax
Tax is charged at 40% on the part of the estate above the tax-free allowance (£500,000 here: £325k nil-rate band + £175k residence band). It’s usually paid before probate is granted — and it can be paid in instalments on a property.
£24,000
estimated IHT @ 40%
5
Apply for probate
Probate is the legal authority to deal with the estate. Once HMRC has processed the IHT400, you apply for the grant — then you can collect in the assets.
6
Share the estate with the family
With probate granted, debts settled and tax paid, you pass things to the people David chose — following his will and his recorded wishes.
You don’t have to face this alone. David engaged a solicitor and a tax adviser — both are saved below and can take the IHT400 and probate off your hands. Planning David already did may also reduce the bill. These figures are guidance, not tax advice; HMRC settles the final position.
Beneficiaries told — gently
Worded with care: “David wished for you to receive…” — never “you have been left…”. Nothing about amounts is shared yet.
Paul Richards
“David wished for you to receive some things from his estate, including his model railway and his watch. Sarah will be in touch about what happens next — there’s no rush.”
✓ Sent 30 March 2026, 2:15pm
Andrew Richards
“David wished for you to receive some things from his estate. Sarah will be in touch about what happens next.”
✓ Sent 30 March 2026, 2:15pm
Margaret Richards
“As David’s wife, you have full access to the estate. The home and joint accounts pass to you automatically, and the life insurance is paid straight to you.”
✓ Sent 30 March 2026, 2:15pm
David’s conversations — kept safe
All of David’s planning chats are now read-only, kept exactly as he left them. A fresh Administration channel is open for what comes next.
Grandfather clock · 8 messages · read-only
Model railway collection · 4 messages · read-only
Rolex Submariner · 3 messages · read-only
Gibson Les Paul · 2 messages · read-only
💬 Open the Administration channel →
Dates to keep in mind
Notify banks & providers
When you’re ready — letters are drafted
Soon
Register the death
Done 1 April 2026
✓ Done
Pay any inheritance tax
End of 6th month · by 30 Sep 2026
~6 months
Report on the IHT400
Within 12 months · by 31 Mar 2027
~12 months
Apply for probate
After the IHT400 is processed
In turn
Share the estate
After the grant of probate
Later
Dates are for England & Wales, worked out from the date of death against the open INHERIT standard’s tax rules.
The estate David catalogued
From DavidHome — 14 Oak Lane, Swansea
£395,000
Savings & accounts (4)
£128,000
Possessions catalogued (12)
£37,000
Gross estate
£560,000
Less debts & funeral
−£0
Tax-free allowance
£500,000
Estimated inheritance tax
£24,000
Computed against INHERIT · E&W Tax · reviewed: Stable
Letters ready to send
Pre-written from David’s records, in your name as executor. Read each one before it goes — nothing is sent without you.
Lloyds Bank (current & savings)
Preview →
NS&I Premium Bonds
Preview →
HMRC — tell us once
Preview →
AXA home insurance
Preview →
David’s advisers — here to help you
David chose these regulated firms. They already know his estate and can take the heavy lifting — the IHT400, probate, or both.
⚖️
Hoole & Pemberton SolicitorsSRALaw Society
Solicitor · holds the will · can act on probate
🧾
Weaver & Dane TaxSTEPCIOT
Tax adviser · can prepare the IHT400
📈
Simply Accounts
Accountant · estate accounts
🔒
Our promise. You will never be charged automatically. Anything that costs money — an adviser’s help, a probate application fee — we’ll always show you the cost and ask first. Nothing happens behind your back, and there’s no clock you have to beat today.
This is a lot to take in. You can step away whenever you like — everything is saved, and it’ll be exactly here when you come back. We can also email you a gentle summary.
Recording a death moves an estate from planning into administration. As an executor you are responsible for valuing the estate, reporting to HMRC on the IHT400 where tax may be due, paying any inheritance tax (usually before probate is granted, though tax on a property can be paid in instalments), applying for the grant of probate, and then sharing the estate according to the will. IHT figures here are estimates computed from David’s recorded estate against the open INHERIT standard’s England & Wales tax rules (status: Stable, reviewed by a named reviewer) — they are guidance, not tax advice or a formal valuation, and the final position is settled by HMRC. Adviser services are delivered by the regulated firms shown (SRA / CIOT / STEP). You will never be charged automatically.