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Unconditional love

12 October 2006
Issue: 4079 / Categories: Forum & Feedback

My mother-in-law is very elderly and is funding the substantial fees I am incurring in respect of my claim for unfair dismissal and a subsequent High Court action for breach of contract by my erstwhile employers. If her savings have been fully depleted by the time of her death, say in two years, there will be no funds to pay the inheritance tax due on her estate (to which will be added back her gifts to me to fund the legal fees).

My mother-in-law is very elderly and is funding the substantial fees I am incurring in respect of my claim for unfair dismissal and a subsequent High Court action for breach of contract by my erstwhile employers. If her savings have been fully depleted by the time of her death say in two years there will be no funds to pay the inheritance tax due on her estate (to which will be added back her gifts to me to fund the legal fees). She has made it clear in writing that her gifts to me are unconditional and that she specifically does not require reimbursement in the event that my court actions are successful.
What action will HMRC take in a case like this where the inheritance tax liability exceeds the value of the estate at death?
Query T16 895 — Surely Not.


Reply by Neto de Conde:

The...

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