Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Failure to notify beneficiary of grant: impact on I(PFD)A 1975 limitation, PR duties and extensions (England and Wales)

Published on: 25 March 2026

Published by a LexisNexis Private Client expert

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Table of contents

The time limit in the 1975 Act
Delay by the personal representatives
Summary

Article summary

See the Q&A: What is the legal stance where personal representatives have neglected to inform a beneficiary that the grant has been issued, and a two‑month delay has thereby prejudiced the beneficiary by leaving them with less time to issue their claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, within the six‑month time limit for bringing proceedings? Is there any case law in which the PRs are criticised for such a delay in notifying beneficiaries? This query specifically concerns notification delays by PRs.

The time limit in the 1975 Act

The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (I(PFD)A 1975) provides that certain categories of persons, as listed in section 1, may bring proceedings on the ground that the disposition of the deceased’s estate effected by their Will, the law of intestacy, or both in combination, is not such as to secure reasonable financial provision for the applicant...

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