Court appoints bank as executor after singer Prince died without a will
A court in Minnesota has declared that the musician Prince had no known will and has moved to appoint an executor. The singer was responsible for a litany of hits including 1999, Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Kiss and thirty-seven other UK top 40 hits as a performer as well as dozens of other song […]
Why not upsell with a free pension review?
Profile FS offers a free scheme for the Wills and Probate industry, allowing professional will writers to offer their clients a free pension review whilst writing their will, an easy opportunity to upsell which also increases your value to the client. For existing clients it’s a good reason to book a meeting and do a […]
Woman who was allowed to refuse treatment by CoP to remain anonymous after death
A woman who wanted to die because she said she had lost her “sparkle” and had her decision to refuse treatment after a failed suicide attempt upheld will continue to remain anonymous. The respondent, known as “C” died on 28th November. She had previously been taken to the Court of Protection by Kings College Hospital […]
Last chance to enter STEP private client awards
Friday 29th April is the last chance to enter the STEP Private Client Awards, before the event is held on 8th September. The awards are for private client solicitors, accountants, barristers, bankers, trust managers and financial advisors from around the world. Categories include Contentious Trusts and Estates Team of the Year, Vulnerable Client Advisory Team, […]
Inheritance Tax planning like a Cameron – what your clients want to know now
Ever since Cameron set out his stall against the Brexit, revelations about his spending and finances – both professionally and personally – have been coming out thick and fast. What a coincidence. The coverage in the press, while calculated to make Dave look ‘dodgy’, has in fact highlighted the legal and sound advice on IHT […]
232,000 have used pension flexibility freedoms in it’s first year say HMRC
Nearly a quarter of a million of exercised new freedoms that enable them to use their pension pots more freely according to information from HMRC. According to a statement, people who have “worked hard and saved their entire lives” have now accessed £4.3 billion worth of flexibility from those pensions pots. The Pension Wise service […]
Will Writers granted ABS license to run legal firm
A company have been granted a license to run a law firm as an Alternative Business Structure after they appointed two solicitors. Two of Lifetime Legal’s directors have been running a will writing company since 2007. The new firm is part of the Lifetime financial services group based in St Albans and will enable the […]
More adults obtaining free wills and most pay no more than £150 for a will
According to a YouGov consumer survey more adults are obtaining free wills and the majority of people may no more than £150 for a will. The will writing sector is one of the most price-competitive legal markets and, and some 23% claimed to have obtained a free will according to the survey in 2015., 37% […]
Portcullis Legals win “Best Small Business” at Plymouth Business Awards
Wills, Trusts and Estates specialists Portcullis Legals were all smiles as they scooped the award fro Best Small Business at the Plymouth Business Awards last week, organised by the Plymouth Herald. The company’s CEO and founder, Trevor Worth said afterwards: “After 28 years of hard slog, ups and downs, daft decisions, great decisions…we were thrilled […]
Supermen Webinar No.17 – a great opportunity in Estate Planning
Supermen Webinar Series – new topics every month This month the webinar will go through the details of care cases that Countrywide have successfully fought & an Introduction to the Probate Department. Every client needs a hero. Here’s how to make sure it’s YOU! Supermen Webinar No. 17 – Wednesday 4th May 10.00 am – […]
Nearly one in three over 70s homeowners haven’t thought about inheritance planning
29% of home owners over 70 haven’t thought about what happens to their home when they die with an additional 18% over 70s unaware their ISAs won’t escape inheritance tax charges. The research undertaken by Opinium on behalf of Octopus Investments also revealed that just 14% of people are aware of the current inheritance tax […]
Testing for capacity
It is surprising (and perhaps somewhat worrying) that many mental capacity assessors are not fully aware of the correct test or tests for mental capacity. I was speaking to a GP only yesterday who was telling me about his recent assessment of a client’s capacity to make a Will. Unfortunately he had never heard of […]
Kings Court Trust unveils new brand: The estate administration people
Kings Court Trust, one of the UK’s leading estate administration providers, has unveiled its new brand to coincide with an exciting period of growth for the specialist legal services firm. One of the key objectives of the Bath based firm’s new look is to enable families to clearly understand the complexities and risks of dealing […]
Safe4 achieves Cyber Essentials accreditation and recognition against the IASME standard
In March 2016, Safe4 Information Management achieved further recognition for its safe and secure delivery and storage of customers’ documents. By achieving certification to the IASME governance standard, recognised by the UK Government as the best cyber security standard for small companies, Safe4 demonstrated continuing capability to provide a secure and trusted environment for customers […]
Accountant warns clients could lose thousands over redundant discretionary trust clauses
An accountant has warned that many couples and their loved ones could lose out when it comes to inheritance tax because of now-redundant discretionary trust clauses. The clauses are now no longer useful according to Craig Hughes, private client account director at Menzies, because of the soon to be introduced main residence nil-rate band. The […]
Discover the Safe4 mobile interface
The development programme for Safe4 continues to bring forward additional capabilities, to enhance the service by increasing the functionality and flexibility of the system.
Leading law firm helping other solicitors to get connected through new service
Buckles Solicitors LLP have launched a new bespoke service to allow other law firms and professionals, locally and across the UK, to tap into its niche legal offerings. BUCKLESconnect offers a free support network providing access to legal expertise in specialist areas, such as will & trust disputes, planning and French and Spanish property law, that […]
Julian Bryan appointed Chair of Legal Software Suppliers Association
The Managing Director of Quill Pinpoint has been appointed the chair of the Legal Software Suppliers Association. Julian Bryan takes over from Matt Lancaster, Sales and Marketing Director for Osprey Legal Cloud. Julian Bryan, LSSA Chair said: “I’m delighted to be picking up the chairman’s baton and build on the successes of my predecessors. With […]
Demand for Probate insurance ever increasing says Shane Leivers at HomeProtect
The demand for probate insurance is increasing as more and more insurers baulk at the prospect of insuring an empty property. Shane Leivers of HomeProtect took the time to speak to Today’s Wills and Probate to explain his product and how it can be of use to solicitors and will writers. Firstly, what is probate […]
Mental Incapacity -The next big financial scandal
Although the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) is now almost 8 years old, few if any of the major financial institutions appear to have integrated it into their day to day processes leaving incapacitated clients at risk of abuse and the financial institutions at risk of major litigation. Case Study I was recently asked to assess […]
