Further Information regarding Interim arrangements for the Probate Service ahead of the new Fees implementation – Update 3
We have sent two previous mail shots regarding the changes to Probate fees which come into effect in May 2017.
It is our intention to as best we can to supply further updates in response to some of the questions you have raised.
Q. What happens in cases where there is a need for an HMRC Assessment will any delay mean I incur the higher fee?
In cases where you are required to submit an IHT 400 or any IHT document for assessment by HMRC for Inheritance tax purposes then it is possible for you to submit the appropriate forms to both HMRC and HMCTS Probate simultaneously. We will not issue your grant until the approved IHT 421 is received but we will mark your application as lodged. To assist us in not raising this as a query it would be advisable to clearly mark your application that the IHT document will follow after assessment.
Q. Do we have the actual date of implementation?
No we do not have the actual date of commencement yet. However we can assure you that on receiving that date a mail shot will be released immediately informing you of that date. HMCTS Probate would however like to work with you now to ensure that we reduce as much as possible the added burden on applications nearer that date. You can assist us in doing this by following the steps in the mail shot sent to you on Monday 6th March.
Q. How do I calculate the estate value that the fee will be charged upon?
The fee is calculated from the net value of the estate after deducting liabilities or debts from the total of assets and gifts – you can do this using the appropriate Inheritance Tax form.
- On an Inheritance Tax Summary Online application this figure will be the figure noted in the net estate value box.
- On form IHT 205 the net estate value for fees purposes can be found at Box F
- On form IHT 207 the net estate value for fees purposes can be found at Box H
- On form IHT 421 the net estate value for fees purposes can be found at Box 5
What is considered as a full application?
A full application for Probate purposes and therefore to qualify for the appropriate fee is defined as the following.
It must include:
- An full oath sworn by all deponents and commissioners
- An original will and codicil(where appropriate) endorsed by all commissioners and deponents.
- The appropriate number of correct copy wills an codicils
- An Inland Revenue account (with the exception of IHT 400’s/421’s where assessment is ongoing and it has been noted on the covering letter that it will follow)
- All associated documents including any affidavit evidence required at the time of submission, renunciations, Powers of attorneys
- The appropriate fee.
Upon receipt of an application in this form prior to commencement then the existing fee will be charged.
Settlers and Prelodgements are not considered as full applications and therefore submission of an oath for settling prior to commencement and a subsequent oath after commencement will result in the new fee being applied.
Q: When will the new fees be implemented – at date of death or date of application?
The new fees will apply to all applications received by the probate service on or after the implementation date of the new fees irrespective of the date of death. Any application received within working hours of the Probate Registry before the implementation date will be charged the current fee. Subject to approval of the necessary legislation by Parliament, we expect the new fees to take effect from May 2017, but the exact date will be confirmed nearer the time.
Q. Is there to be any equivalent of the IHT instalment option for an asset rich / cash poor estates?
There will not be an instalment option available to pay fees. If the estate does not have enough cash to pay the fee, executors will be able to apply to the Probate Service to access a particular asset for the sole purpose of paying the fee.
Q. How does the new fee affect property held between cohabitating couples?
The law remains the same. Any jointly owned assets (e.g. property held as joint tenants) will not require probate, regardless of whether couples are married, in a civil partnership or neither. All couples are free to choose how they hold their property, and they can change to a joint ownership arrangement via the Land Registry.