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Top 4 questions on making a deed of variation, answered by Shelly Wainwright – What is a deed of variation?

17th December 2015

If a loved one has died, naming you as a beneficiary in their will you can choose whether or not to accept their gift. There may be many reasons why you might chose to decline, you may not need the gift and instead want to pass the benefit onto someone else, you may not want to increase the size of your own estate, or you may want to reduce inheritance tax liability.

In this series of four blogs, Shelly Wainwright, wills and probate lawyer at Ansons Solicitors, explains how to use a deed of variation to change the terms of a will after someone has died, and answers the four most frequently asked questions:

What is a deed of variation?

A deed of variation is a written document which varies the terms of a deceased person’s will. You can change the terms of your share of the estate in the will so that it passes to a different beneficiary. You may only vary your entitlement under the will, not anyone else’s.

Making a deed of variation may have implications on the legal ownership of assets and inheritance tax liability. You should always take independent legal advice before signing any such document.

For more information on deeds of variation, or any other wills and probate matter, contact Shelly Wainwright in the wills and probate team, on 01543 267 984 or email swainwright@ansonsllp.com. Ansons Solicitors has offices in Cannock and Lichfield, Staffordshire.