IHTM35161 - Disclaimers: introduction
In general law, a beneficiary has the right to
- renounce a gift made to them under a will,
- disclaim their interest under an intestacy.
A beneficiary may disclaim by written disclaimer or by conduct. The disclaimer must apply to the whole of the benefit. The beneficiary must not have received any benefit from the property being disclaimed, although they may accept one gift in a will and disclaim another.
A disclaimer must be unconditional and the beneficiary cannot redirect the interest that is being disclaimed. The disclaimed benefit falls back into residue and follows the devolution of the estate accordingly.
A beneficiary who has disclaimed an interest under a will may subsequently retract their disclaimer provided no-one has altered their position in reliance on the disclaimer.
Example 1
If Alan is left a pecuniary legacy of £70,000 he must disclaim the whole amount and cannot purport to disclaim, say, £10,000 of it.
Example 2
If Alan received a pecuniary legacy of £20,000, and under a separate clause, a one third share of the residue, he could effectively disclaim the £20,000 without giving up the residuary bequest, (or vice versa).
Example 3
Alan is entitled to a one-third share in the residuary estate. He receives £500 on account. If he accepts this sum he cannot then disclaim his share in the residuary estate.