American actor, Gene Hackman, passed away in February 2025 at the age of 95. Hackman was a renowned, award-winning actor with a career spanning over four decades. He was best known for his work in Hoosiers, The French Connection, Superman, and The Royal Tenenbaums but has acting credits in over 100 films or TV shows, according to IMDB.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) opened 3,028 Inheritance Tax (IHT) investigations in the 2023-2024 tax year, recovering £285 million. This marks a significant decrease from the 5,537 investigations conducted in the 2018-2019 tax year, indicating a 45% reduction over five years. However, despite fewer investigations, the amount recovered per investigation has increased, suggesting that HMRC is taking a more targeted and effective enforcement approach. While the proportion of estates subject to IHT investigations has declined, the complexity of the tax continues to raise concerns. Many still argue that the Inheritance Tax is wrong, particularly as families navigating estate administration may not fully understand the risks of making costly mistakes

Due to more dynamic family structures and individuals increasingly owning more assets than ever before, it may not come as a surprise that inheritance disputes have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 5% rise in court claims related to contested Wills with over 10,000 cases now reported each year. This blog looks at some common causes for inheritance disputes, what can be done to resolve them, and how to avoid them altogether.

When it comes to estate administration, dealing with shareholdings can be one of the most intricate tasks faced by the Executors or Personal Representatives (PRs) responsible for administering a deceased person's estate. Shares often come with a maze of administrative, financial, and legal hurdles that require specialist expertise to navigate efficiently. At Kings Court Trust, we understand these complexities and provide tailored support to ensure every estate is handled with precision and care. This blog delves into some of the common challenges of shareholdings in estate administration and how to address them effectively.

We are proud to unveil our new identity, reflecting not only a fresh visual update but also a renewed commitment to providing exceptional service and specialist support to our clients and partners.

We understand that the task of administering someone’s estate after their passing can be a confusing and complicated process, especially whilst dealing with the death of a loved one or friend. Being given this responsibility is often a testament to the trust and close relationship you may have had with someone who’s passed away. It’s often viewed as somewhat of an honour to be involved in organising the affairs of those who have departed and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here at Kings Court Trust, we understand that you may not have prior knowledge of what estate administration is, but also, the many technical terms it involves, until you are required to start the process yourself. We strive to make this time as simple, pain-free, and easy as possible for anybody embarking on this journey. That’s why everything we do has the wellbeing of our clients at its very core. With that in mind, we have created a jargon-busting glossary of terms to explain the ins and outs of estate administration as clearly as possible for you.

Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and for many families in the UK, this is compounded by delays in the probate process. In 2024, Personal Representatives (PR) are increasingly facing extended waiting periods to distribute estates, which has brought new financial and emotional stress. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself dealing with estate administration and probate this year.

Following a summer of political change and a new Labour Government, the Autumn Statement by the UK’s first female Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, brought forward long-anticipated updates to taxes, minimum wage and business reliefs.

When a person who is domiciled in a foreign country passes away, and holds assets in England and Wales, a Grant of Representation may be required to administer their estate. However, if a Grant has already been obtained in a foreign jurisdiction, there is a process known as resealing the Grant. This allows the foreign Grant to be recognised in England and Wales without the need to apply for a new one. In this guide, we’ll explore what resealed Grants are, how the resealing process works, and what challenges can arise.