'I inherited my friend’s £400k home – then discovered she was a hoarder’—The Times
Partner Sarah Arnold has been featured in The Times, commenting on the practical and financial challenges that can arise when inheriting property. The article follows the experience of a woman who inherited a friend's London flat worth more than £400,000, only to discover it was filled with over 50 years' worth of possessions and required extensive clearance and renovation before it could be sold.
Sarah discusses the complexities of property inheritances, including the difficulties beneficiaries can face when they inherit valuable assets but lack the immediate funds needed to cover renovation costs, legal fees, inheritance tax or other liabilities. She also offers insight into the increasing prevalence of non-traditional inheritance arrangements, where estates are left to friends rather than family members, and highlights the importance of communication and estate planning to help avoid complications for beneficiaries.
The benefit does not come without the burden. Obviously it's lovely to have an inheritance in the form of a property, but if you need to renovate it, pay legal fees or inheritance tax, you might not have the liquidity to do that.
The article is available to view in The Times by subscription only.
About Sarah
Sarah Arnold is a partner in the trust and estate disputes team specialising in resolving inherited wealth disputes. She advises individuals, charities, executors and trustees on a wide range of inheritance, trust and estate disputes, including matters involving family businesses, farms, offshore assets and charitable legacies.
Get in touch
If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our trusts wills estate disputes solicitors by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7530 or complete our enquiry form.
