New queries, issue 4573

Life lottery

Consequences of non-disclosure of confiscation money on IHT return.

Our client’s late father won a seven-figure sum of money in 2000. In May 2009 our client took over the administration of his affairs and noticed money being transferred to her father’s neighbour. She reported this to the police in August 2009 and the neighbour was convicted of theft in September 2012.

The CPS obtained a confiscation order to try to recover the stolen money. Believing that the neighbour had put the money beyond the reach of the UK authorities our client had no expectation of any being recovered. However £100 000 was recovered by the court and paid to her in November 2012. She was given no indication at that point as to whether any further sums would follow.

Her father died in December 2012. The total value of his estate then excluding...