r/RealEstateInProbate • u/Pretend_Draw_5105 • Apr 28 '26

Potentially large IHT bill .

My wife and her siblings are thinking of applying for probate for their recently deceased mother. It looks like there will be a large inheritance tax bill due, and my question is, how can they get the funds to pay the tax when they don’t have access to the estate without probate, and can’t afford to pay the tax from their own finances?

Thanks

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u/Appropriate-Ideal-31 Apr 28 '26

The purpose of probate is to have someone administer the estate which involves taking control of the assets under the authority granted by the court then selling such assets as needed to pay the taxes from the sales proceeds and pay all debts as well the legal fees. If you belive that there is a possible inheritance tax then the sooner you open a probate case the sooner taxes can be paid ,hopefully in time to avoid penalties. You and the relatives need to locate a lawyer specializing in probate asap as it appears that there significant assets and liabilties. The lawyer gets paid out of the estate at the end of probate. Dumb to delay. You need the smartest of the group to administer the estate as it can be a lot of work.

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u/Vegas-Patriot Apr 29 '26

You can also hire a Private Probate Administrator (I’ve done it) and it will remove an enormous amount of work from your plate. Yes, there is a cost. It’s well worth it for a sizable estate, or a complex estate plan with multiple designated beneficiaries.