Is it legal just to register a TR1 after death?
Hello everyone and thanks in advance for your advice. As in the title: Is it legal for a TR1 form to be registered after the death of the owner?
I had a relative that died on the 22nd and according to his new wife wanted to transfer 50% of his property to her which he owned outright. Because of the man and wife element, there were no solicitors and conveyancing, just her say so and a TR1. This was registered with Land registry on the 23rd.
He had left a Will giving her a life interest in the property and then 100% of the house was to go into a trust for his family from his first marriage.
So is it legal to register a transfer after a death?
How to challenge such a transfer?
Many thanks
Blueberry
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Member Since February 2011 - Comments: 3454 - Articles: 286
9:53 AM, 21st August 2020, About 6 years ago
I have found the Gov.uk guidance on using the TR1 for a third party >> https://help.landregistry.gov.uk/app/answers/detail/a_id/25/~/transfer-property-to-a-third-party-after-the-death-of-the-sole-owner
Member Since August 2016 - Comments: 508
11:39 AM, 21st August 2020, About 6 years ago
This is unclear and lacking in vital information, such as:
1. who signed the TR1?
2. date of TR1, presumably before the death?
3. proof of posting (date) to support / verify date written on form TR1
A Conveyancer (not me) will be able to say if the LR will honour the registration made after death even if proved to have been posted and signed by the deceased before death?
Undue influence??
On the frail evidence offered, I suspect the Will prevails, obviously not in the potential claimant’s interest!
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 627
2:07 PM, 21st August 2020, About 6 years ago
Reply to the comment left by Lindsay Keith at 21/08/2020 – 11:39
Neil’s link is specifically for POST death transfers by or on behalf of the beneficiaries, the OPs point is the validity of the, immediate, TRI.
A few points:
1) was there any form of LPA Personal, financial, or both) in place and if so was the Atorrney the wife i.e. conflict of interest and mental capacity
2) Without any corroborating statement i.e. in the form of a contract is the TR1 even valid, contingently perhaps but what if it is contested. This might give you a steer https://guildfordchambers.com/tickboxes-and-trusts-when-does-a-tr1-form-amount-to-an-express-declaration-of-trust/
3) is the wife an executor or even a trustee of the trust, a potential breach of duty
You may not have intended to engage a solicitor, I think you should.
Member Since July 2013 - Comments: 2006 - Articles: 21
3:25 PM, 21st August 2020, About 6 years ago
Blueberry, trying to untangle this without legal advice will be nigh on impossible. You write: “He had left a Will giving her a life interest in the property and then 100% of the house was to go into a trust for his family from his first marriage” and that “according to his new wife wanted to transfer 50% of his property to her which he owned outright”. If the marriage post-dated the will, the will is revoked. If the will post-dated the marriage then she will probably have to show the TR1 was properly executed by her late husband.
There may be a dispute between the new wife and the family from the first marriage. The parties should get legal advice.
Member Since February 2018 - Comments: 627
6:36 PM, 21st August 2020, About 6 years ago
I mistakenly posted to another reply so:
Neil’s link is specifically for POST death transfers by or on behalf of the beneficiaries, the OPs point is the validity of the, immediate, TRI.
A few points:
1) was there any form of LPA Personal, financial, or both) in place and if so was the Atorrney the wife i.e. conflict of interest and mental capacity
2) Without any corroborating statement i.e. in the form of a contract is the TR1 even valid, contingently perhaps but what if it is contested. This might give you a steer https://guildfordchambers.com/tickboxes-and-trusts-when-does-a-tr1-form-amount-to-an-express-declaration-of-trust/
3) is the wife an executor or even a trustee of the trust, a potential breach of duty
You may not have intended to engage a solicitor, I think you should.