Channel 4’s new reality show ‘The Inheritance’ throws 13 strangers together to compete for a fortune left by Elizabeth Hurley as ‘The Deceased’. As they navigate a series of challenges, their efforts and collaboration determine how much money is added to the prize pot. However, only one player can claim the money gained from each challenge.
How close is this game to the actual legal process of inheritance in the UK?
Misconceptions From The Inheritance
Overseeing this game and the deceased’s Will is Rob Rinder serving as ‘The Executor’. While in the game, Rob’s role is distributing the estate. The inheritance is earnt through the contestant’s performance, persuasion and popularity. According to UK law, executors or administrators are legally bound to distribute the estate according to the valid will.
A Will is a legal document that outlines a person’s wishes regarding the distribution of their estate and personal belongings after their death. It is legally binding, and their wishes must be followed.
What Really Happens In Probate
Probate is the legal process of administering someone’s estate after they’ve passed away. Beneficiaries are either named in a valid will or identified through the Rules of Intestacy when there is no will. The process follows:
- Applying for Grant of Representation: This legal document gives you the authority to access the deceased bank accounts, property, and handle the estate. Either applying for Grant of Probate when there is a valid will or a Letter of Administration if there is no will.
- Valuing assets: identifying and valuing all assets including properties, personal belongings, investments and banks accounts.
- Paying debts: Debts are paid before distributing anything to beneficiaries. Inheritance tax only applies when the deceased estate is over £325,000.
- Distributing the estate: The estate will be distributed according to the valid will or to the next of kin following intestacy rules.
The Show’s Truths
Reviewing the show reveals the tension between contestants, driven by the inheritance, drama and deception as they compete. The show mirrors real-life dynamics surrounding inheritance and money, which often lead to family disputes. People may rely on an inheritance for financial support or feel entitled to it which may cause emotional strain in relationships. While the legal process of inheritance is typically structured and transparent, disputes over a will can prolong the probate process and intensify family disputes. While the show’s contestants are strangers, it replicates the emotional disputes when persuading each other who should receive the money from the challenges.
On the other hand, the show educates viewers of the importance of writing a will. Over half of UK adults aged 18 and over do not have a valid will. As a result, their estates will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, meaning that they have missed the opportunity to control where and who inherits their assets. This can lead to complications with locating next of kin and family relationships.
Conclusion
While ‘The Inheritance’ may dramatize the anticipation of an inheritance by turning it into a competitive reality show. The show has the potential to educate UK viewers of the importance of estate planning and writing a will.
A significant amount of people in the UK have not written wills, leaving their estates subject to the rules of intestacy. As international probate researchers and genealogists, Blanchards specialise in tracing missing beneficiaries and reconnecting families with their rightful inheritance. For more articles and news regarding Blanchards read our other blogs or follow us on LinkedIn.
