Dealing with probate can feel overwhelming, especially when chattels, antiques, or collections are involved. At FEAC Legal, we provide HMRC compliant probate valuations for Bere Alston families, solicitors, and executors. Whether you’re handling a simple estate or a large rural property, we offer sensitive, timely, and accurate valuations across Devon.

How Does It Work?

Step 1: Book Your Valuation

For a personal quote or to book a probate valuation service, please get in touch with us.

Phone: 07984 733931

Email: admin@feaclegal.co.uk

Step 2: Schedule Your Valuation

Once your appointment is confirmed, our team of professional valuers will arrive promptly at 9:00 AM on the scheduled day. They will conduct the valuation thoroughly and take the necessary time to ensure an accurate and comprehensive assessment.

Note! We can collect keys if you are unable to attend the property, or, you can post them to our head office.

Step 3: Receive Your Report

Once the valuation at your property is complete, our valuers will return to head office to prepare a detailed probate report. This report will be finalised and emailed to you in PDF format within 5 working days of your initial appointment. You can then print and distribute as many times as needed to the appropriate parties.

Our Probate Services In Bere Alston

• Full chattels and household contents valuation for probate and inheritance tax
• HMRC Inheritance tax compliant documentation.
• Asset recovery service included.
• Flexible key collection and postal services for clients unable to attend in person, including those abroad or with busy schedules
• We can also offer full house contents clearance.

Why Choose Us?

• We are a family run business who have been operating for over thirty years.
• Our expert valuers have constant training in antique, fine jewellery, and specialist items. Making them the most knowledgable and best in the business.
• We cover the whole of the UK and Scotland.
• We work closely with over eighty solicitors throughout the UK.
• We have never had a report rejected by HMRC.
• We offer transparent, competitive pricing with no hidden fees.

Ready To Get Started?

Contact us today for probate and chattels valuation in Bere Alston and across Devon.
Call 07984733931 or email admin@feaclegal.co.uk.

How Do Probate Valuations Address Digital Currencies?

As digital currencies become more widely adopted, many estates now include assets that did not exist a decade ago — such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and other forms of cryptocurrency. These digital assets carry real-world value and must be included in the estate’s total valuation for probate and inheritance tax (IHT).

For executors, digital currencies can be one of the most challenging aspects of probate. Unlike traditional assets, cryptocurrency exists on decentralised networks, requires secure access credentials, and fluctuates in value rapidly. Failing to handle these assets correctly can lead to inaccurate valuations, HMRC queries, and potential legal issues.

This article explains how probate valuations address digital currencies and what executors must do to ensure full HMRC compliance.

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1. Cryptocurrency Is Treated as Property for Probate Purposes

HMRC classifies digital currencies as property, not physical money.
This means they must be:

• Identified
• Accessed
• Valued
• Reported
• Included in the estate for IHT purposes

The executor is responsible for ensuring these assets are disclosed and valued correctly.

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2. Executors Must Locate Digital Wallets and Access Information

Probate valuers cannot assess cryptocurrency without access to essential details, which may include:

• Wallet addresses
• Private keys
• Seed phrases
• Exchange accounts
• USB hardware wallets (e.g., Ledger, Trezor)
• Online wallets
• Trading platforms

Missing access details can render digital currencies unrecoverable, meaning the estate loses the asset entirely.

FEAC Legal’s asset recovery service often helps locate USB wallets, digital documents, or stored access information hidden within the property.
Learn more: Asset Recovery Service.

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3. Probate Valuations Use the Market Value at the Date of Death

Cryptocurrency values fluctuate dramatically, so it is essential that probate valuations reflect the exact market value on the date of death, not:

• Today’s exchange rate
• The last traded value known to the deceased
• The value at the time the executor gains access

HMRC requires the value of digital currencies at the precise moment the estate becomes legally relevant.

Valuers use:

• Trusted exchange rates
• Blockchain transaction history
• Independent third-party valuation tools
• Historical market data

This ensures the valuation is accurate and defensible.

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4. Digital Currency Held on Exchanges Must Also Be Valued

If the deceased held cryptocurrency through exchanges such as:

• Coinbase
• Binance
• Kraken
• Bitstamp
• Gemini

executors must obtain:

• Account statements
• Transaction history
• Wallet balances
• Pending orders or assets locked in staking

These details form part of the probate valuation and must be submitted to HMRC.

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5. Mining Rewards, Staking, and Tokens Must Be Included

Digital currency assets often involve more than simple coin holdings. Executors must also consider:

• Staking rewards
• Mining income
• Unclaimed tokens or airdrops
• NFTs (non-fungible tokens)
• Cryptocurrency loans
• Smart-contract-based assets

Each of these may have taxable value and must be included in the estate’s overall asset calculation.

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6. Digital Currency Debts Must Also Be Identified

Just as assets are included, executors must determine whether the deceased had:

• Crypto-backed loans
• Margin trading debts
• Platform borrowing
• Outstanding liabilities on exchanges

These liabilities affect the net estate and must be factored into the probate calculation.

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7. Security and Fraud Prevention Are Crucial

Digital currencies are vulnerable to theft if handled incorrectly.
Executors must:

• Secure devices containing wallets
• Avoid exposing seed phrases or private keys
• Ensure cold-storage wallets remain offline
• Prevent unauthorised access
• Document all actions taken

Because crypto transactions are irreversible, security is essential.

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8. Executors Must Keep Detailed Records for HMRC

Probate valuations involving digital currencies must document:

• Wallet balances
• Market values at date of death
• Conversion rates
• How valuers accessed the information
• Evidence of asset existence
• Any missing keys or unrecoverable assets
• Attempts to locate documentation

These records may be required by HMRC for years after probate.

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9. Probate Valuations Provide Clarity in Disputed Digital Estates

Beneficiary disputes are increasingly common where digital currencies are concerned, especially when:

• There is uncertainty about ownership
• Access keys are missing
• Only one beneficiary knew about the assets
• There are large fluctuations in value

A professional valuation provides:

• Impartial evidence
• A clear audit trail
• A defensible market valuation
• Documentation for estate distribution

This prevents disagreements from escalating into legal disputes.

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10. Why Executors Should Not Attempt DIY Digital Currency Valuations

Digital assets are highly technical. DIY valuations can lead to:

• Incorrect figures
• Missed wallets
• Inaccessible funds
• HMRC penalties
• Security risks
• Lost assets
• Disputes between beneficiaries

Professional support ensures the estate is processed correctly and safely.

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Why Executors Choose FEAC Legal for Digital Asset Probate Valuations

FEAC Legal offers professional probate valuations designed to handle both traditional and modern assets — including cryptocurrency.

We provide:

• HMRC-compliant valuations
• Accurate date-of-death digital currency assessments
• Full photographic and written reports
• Free asset recovery to locate digital records and devices
• National coverage across England, Scotland & Wales
• A perfect HMRC acceptance record
• Expertise with complex and high-value estates
• Reports delivered within 5 working days
• Fixed-fee, transparent pricing

Our team understands the challenges digital assets present and ensures they are valued accurately and securely.

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Contact FEAC Legal

Email: admin@feaclegal.co.uk
Phone: 07984733931

For probate valuations involving cryptocurrency or digital assets, please contact us