A question of trust
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a campaign asking for views on the professional standards expected of solicitors. The campaign “A question of trust” will involve the legal profession and the public in a wide-ranging discussion about what meeting professional standards means. The SRA has been cutting regulatory red tape for the last two […]
The importance of training
Today’s Wills & Probate would like to welcome our new partner, Central Law Training (CLT), who this week discuss why professional training is inregral for your business. Whether you are a solicitor, a will writer, a probate practitioner or otherwise involved with the provision of legal advice to private clients, the importance of excellent training […]
SRA says: historic first plc is a way forward
The creation of the first legal plc in England shows a new way forward in opening up the market through flexible regulatory practice, says the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). Gateley Plc raised £30 million this month when it was admitted to trading its shares on AIM, London Stock Exchange’s international market for smaller growing companies. […]
Dying debts
SunLife has reported that one in ten people are forced into debt to pay for funeral costs. SunLife’s most recent extensive research consisted of an online survey of 1,504 UK adults who were responsible for planning a funeral and administering an estate within the last four years. A further 118 telephone interviews were conducted with funeral directors from […]
New pension freedoms see launch of CPD series
BirthStar, a research and advisory firm for asset managers and intermediaries, has launched a new CPD research series on rethinking retirement. The research is designed to help advisers navigate with their clients, the new pension freedoms scheme. The Government announced pension freedom in their 2014 Budget to start in this 2015/16 tax year. So far, […]
Connells-owned Redstone Wills offers free will to 750 Paradigm mortgage brokers
Redstone Wills are offering Paradigm mortgage brokers a free will for themselves, as part of a strategy to get mortgage brokers to recommend their services. The Paradigm Group, which includes Paradigm Mortgage Services, comprises over 750 partner firms, representing over 3000 registered intermediaries (RIs) who are all actively engaged in a variety of financial services. […]
Pension Freedoms 2015: Will your clients have enough income in retirement?
New rules which give far greater flexibility over what individuals can do with their ‘pension pot’ came into force on 6th April 2015. Anyone over the age of 55 can now take advantage of the new pension freedoms since the rules came into force. Have any of your clients taken advantage of this? Or have […]
Relief for homeowners as IHT increase is announced
Industry experts are now predicting a rush in £1 million home valuations following the change to the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold which was announced in this week’s Budget. So what does this mean for the average UK resident? IHT has now risen from £650,000 to £1 million for married couples and civil partners who are […]
Update your professional knowledge and increase your profits with Central Law Training
Central Law Training (CLT) a leading provider of legal CPD courses, conferences and webinars, have a number of upcoming webinars that not only could improve your professional knowledge but also allow you to add new offerings through your practice to boost your profitability. The first, which is taking place on 22nd July, is Statutory Wills […]
Speakers finalised for this year’s SWW Annual Conference
The Society of Will Writers (SWW) are pleased to announce that the speakers for the 19th Annual Conference have now been confirmed. As the Society turned 21 this year, they are keen to ensure that you get as much from conference as possible and have sourced some fantastic speakers. As previously reported by Today’s Wills […]
Lasting Power of Attorney – Our Guide
Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) forms have changed from Wednesday 1st July. Here is our guide to the changes: The Government has introduced new, clearer and simpler Lasting Power of Attorney forms. They come into effect on 1st July, however, a transition period of 6 months has been introduced to allow for existing applications to […]
Untapped resource? – Will they, or won’t they?
Social media channels continue to be one of the greatest untapped resources of many will writers, probate practitioners, and estate planners. There are regularly potential clients who are looking for particular service providers in their local area. To find them, all it takes is a simple search! Do you integrate social media into your business […]
What does Regulation 650/2012 mean for your clients?
Regulation (EU) 650/2012 (Brussels IV) came into force on 17th August 2012 and will apply fully to deaths occurring on, or after, 17th August 2015. The Regulation attempts to harmonise the private international law rules of succession throughout the EU, without creating a completely new set of succession laws. However, it will only be relevant […]
Budget Special: Inheritance Tax Exemption to be raised
With the second 2015 Budget being announced today, the Chancellor is expected to raise the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold to £1 million and include a special inheritance tax exemption for family homes. The exemption will take the form of an additional nil-rate band (NRB) of £175,000 per person, deductible only from the value of the […]
Paws for thought
The law designates that a pet is construed as property. This distinction prevents anyone from naming a pet as a beneficiary of their will. Alternatively bequeathing an allocated sum can be arranged, to provide for the care of that pet during its lifetime, as property cannot be inherited by property (i.e. money to a pet). […]
Announcement from the OPG – new LPA forms
As of 1st July the new LPA forms are effective. How have the forms changed? The new forms reflect the responses to our consultation and feedback from users who were directly involved in their development. The redesign will make the forms easier to follow and faster to complete. We have also removed the requirement for a […]
The intestacy jigsaw
The distribution of an estate as specified by a will is often a challenging matter with extensive legal documentation becoming the bugbear of law firms instructed to carry out the wishes of the Deceased. The process of drawing up a will is a detailed task designed to protect the individual by ensuring named beneficiaries receive […]
Ensure you are providing vulnerable clients with the right level of service
The Law Society has published guidance for solicitors to help them meet the needs of vulnerable clients. This includes clients with a range of physical and learning disabilities, and mental health problems. The Law Society practice note issued on 2nd July provides a comprehensive summary for solicitors aimed at dealing with vulnerable clientele and has […]
The Gazette to hold focus groups for the probate sector
The Gazette team is inviting legal professionals in the probate sector to take part in one of a number of focus groups being held across England. The focus groups will concentrate on probate-related matters, specifically on placing deceased estate notices in The Gazette, and how The Gazette could improve its services to the probate sector. The […]
Competition increases in the Probate market
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) has reported to having nearly 100 accountancy firms who are now licensed to offer probate services. The ICAEW became a new regulator of probate services on 14th August 2014. This means that the ICAEW Chartered Accountants and ABSs who are licensed by the ICAEW for […]
