IHTM12122 - Distribution under intestacy (E & W): statutory legacy

The statutory legacy payable to a surviving spouse or civil partner (IHTM11032) (IHTM12121) depends on whether the deceased dies

  • with issue, that is children, grandchildren and remoter descendants (table 1), or
  • without issue but with parents brother or sister or issue of brother or sister (table 2).

Date of deceased’s death

Statutory Legacy

 

 

 

Table 1

Table 2

 

 

 

£

£

1.1.26

to

31.12.52

1,000

1,000

1.1.53

to

31.12.66

5,000

20,000

1.1.67

to

30.6.72

8,750

30,000

1.7.72

to

14.3.77

15,000

40,000

15.3.77

to

14.9.77

25,000

55,000

15.9.77

to

28.2.81

25,000

55,000

1.3.81

to

30.9.83

40,000

85,000

1.10.83

to

31.5.87

40,000

85,000

1.6.87

to

30.11.93

75,000

125,000

1.12.93

to

31 01.2009

125,000

200,000

1. 2.2009 onwards

 

250,000

450,000

Although interest from the date of the intestate’s death to the date of payment is added to the statutory legacy, for the purpose of spouse or civil partner exemption you should consider the position at the moment of death and ignore the interest when calculating relief.

Interest is allowed on each legacy at the basic rate payable for the time being on funds in court or at such other rate as the court shall direct from the date of death.