Reach for the stars (Will they, or won’t they?)
This week’s tweet is all about the CILEx Practice Rights Roadshow – with events running throughout October and November. Legal professionals are said to gain knowledge into how to develop their careers and enhance earning potential through attending these events. A range of practice areas will be covered, including probate. Will you be attending? […]
FCA proposes changes to pension rules to enhance consumer protection
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has today outlined proposed changes to its pension rules to address the risks and challenges faced by consumers in the new retirement market. The FCA’s paper contains a number of proposals designed to ensure that the pensions market works well for consumers, including new requirements to help consumers shop around, ensuring the […]
Informative webinar highlights major flaws in the handling of recent will disputes
In his Certainty Expert Webinar on 22nd September 2015, Tom Dumont, the well-known barrister of Radcliffe Chambers, Lincoln’s Inn, comprehensively answered the questions: how safe are wills from adult children’s 1975 Act claims, and can we make them any safer? Tom is recommended by the legal directories as a leading practitioner for traditional chancery, charities and […]
Moneypenny celebrates as time flies
Telephone answering specialist Moneypenny is celebrating three years of handling `night-time’ calls, the majority legal, from the other side of the world. In 2012, the company took the unusual decision to open an office in New Zealand to meet the increasing demand at the time for a 24/7 telephone answering service — driven by the […]
Solicitors: national campaign launched on questions of trust
The Solicitors Regulation Authority is today (Wednesday 30th September) launching a national ‘A Question of Trust’ campaign to give everyone a chance to have their say about action taken against those solicitors who fall short of the expected standards. Members of the public, charities and consumer representatives have been invited to the campaign’s launch event […]
High pension fees may shock many unaware clients
Should consumers be more aware of the indirect costs of their pension plans? New research indicates this may be the case. Many UK residents are unaware of the additional costs they may incur from their pension providers in terms of management and early-exit costs. Recent research has demonstrated potentially worrying numbers of people are unaware […]
ICAEW announces higher than expected demand for probate licencing
Today’s Wills & Probate met with Peter James, Head of Regulatory Policy at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) last week. ICAEW have seen a surge in the number of accountancy firms who have applied for accreditation since Kingston Smith became the first accountancy firm to be awarded the licence in […]
B P Collins welcomes new private wealth specialist
The Wills, Trusts and Probate team at B P Collins LLP have recently appointed a new private wealth specialist, Vicky Johnson. During September, the firm welcomed various new solicitors to the private client practise including associate Vicky Johnson who is joining a well-established team to offer expert advice to clients on tax and estate planning. […]
Rising IHT threshold – will it help or hinder?
The Government’s plans to increase the threshold for the value of estates eligible for Inheritance Tax (IHT) in the Summer Budget may not reduce the level of IHT people pay as much as anticipated. Recent years have shown an exponential increase in the levels of IHT receipts accepted. Government figures confirm that between the years […]
How can you instil confidence within an unregulated profession?
The Government’s decision not to regulate will writing in England and Wales has left the industry wide open to abuse. Anyone can set up as a will writer, even if they have no qualifications or experience. The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), the worldwide professional association for practitioners dealing with family inheritance and […]
Lock them up (Will they, or won’t they?)
At this year’s Society of Will Writers’ Conference, a brand new product will be launching that’s designed to keep digital legacies and sensitive information used for probate, within a safe “Vault”. What are your thoughts on such a product? Will your business integrate this type of system in order to safeguard client details? Given the […]
New process saves time for all
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has made it easier and quicker for firms to apply for a change in status by cutting form filling by a third. New slimline application forms have been introduced for firms that need to apply for authorisation for a change of legal entity, or for LDPs electing to be licensed. […]
Will storage – what’s the safest option for clients’ documents?
Should clients continue to store their wills with a law firm, or are there better options out there? A recent article published by Human Law has taken the controversial stance of advocating that clients should not store their original wills with solicitors, but instead decide upon a safe storage place themselves. After the death of […]
Take immediate action
With the newly enhanced efforts criminals go to in order to get their hands on valuable assets, it’s integral for any professional to remain adept in how to protect yourself as well as your business. The important thing to note when assessing risks is considering what firms are liable. The answer is…any firm. With modern […]
Who is responsible for legacies?
Donations to UK charities in the last decade were around £2 billion per annum. A large sum however, when you compare that figure to the ratio of charities in the UK who are bequeathed gifts and legacies via wills then it’s a different story. Anyone wishing to leave a legacy in their will to a […]
Estate accounts- help is at hand!
Estate accounts. Not the most exciting subject and one that makes many private client lawyers’ hearts sink. Quite possibly, one of the reasons for this is fear. After all, we are trained in law not accountancy and while we might be able to write a will or apply for a grant with relative ease, preparing […]
Baby boomers take no prisoners
The number of cases of baby boomers disputing wills and being prosecuted over attempts to defraud elderly relatives has increased by record numbers. Inter-family fraud has increased by 300% from £544,000 in the first quarter of 2014 up to £2.1 million in the same quarter in 2015 – the latest report from the KPMG fraud […]
Spread your wings (Will they, or won’t they?)
How can you share knowledge on the importance of having a will and details on the probate process, including why it’s advised to use a qualified professional? Discover local businesses that work amongst your target market – whether that is teachers, carers, or even family members of vulnerable people. Approaching prospective clients can be effective, […]
Cicero stated “the life of the deceased is placed in the memory of the living”
Unfortunately that memory is often soured by disputes between loved ones in relation to the decisions made regarding the funeral. With people leading increasingly complex lives and with only one third of people having a Will, such disputes are increasing. The purpose of this article is to focus on the distinct issue of disputes in […]
Interview with Claire Barker, Managing Partner at Equilaw
Claire Barker is Managing Partner and one of the founders of Equilaw — a unique law firm offering advice to clients considering releasing equity from their homes. She told Jane Common at Today’s Wills & Probate why it’s so important that consumers buying equity release products have a will or an LPA… So you set […]
