Guide to inheritance

Everything owned by a person who has died is known as their estate. The estate may be made up of:

1. 1. Money, both cash and money in a bank or building society account. This could include money paid out on a life insurance policy.

1. 1. Money owed to the person who has died.

1. 1. Shares

1. 1. Property, for example, their home.

1. 1. Personal possessions, for example, their car or jewellery.

The estate of the person who has died is usually passed to surviving relatives and friends, either according to instructions in the will, or if the person dies without leaving a will, according to certain legal rules called the rules of intestacy.

The following questions cover the estate of the person who has died, the inheritance arrangements currently in place, and why you think they should be changed.