The solicitors Regulation Authority and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) are urging law firms and their employees to remain vigilant during lockdown as cyber criminals increasingly target remote workers. Given the lower levels of Read More
The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have been working hard in recent weeks to consider short and long term ways of amending the 1837 Wills Act to reflect the constraints we now face Read More
New forecasts have indicated that legacy incomes are set to decline more significantly this year than originally predicted. In 2020, charities should prepare for legacy income to fall by between 8 per cent and 27 per cent with Read More
Co-op Legal Services announced their profits at the end of last week with a yearly growth of 165 per cent from £2.3 million pre tax profits in 2018’s financial year to £6.1 million last year. The results for Read More
Despite some firms struggling to renew their PII in March, experts are assuring the sector that there are deals to be done, but firms must prepare. The spread of Covid-19 in the UK coincided with Read More
Despite economic uncertainty caused by Brexit and a winter election, £3.92 billion of property wealth was withdrawn using equity release products in 2019. According to the Equity Release Council’s ‘Spring 2020 Equity Release Market Report’, 44,234 customers withdrew £1.81 Read More
Councils have been urged to introduce safe and innovative ways for bereaved families and friends to attend the funerals of the deceased whilst the UK is in lockdown. Local Government minister, Simon Clarke, wrote to Read More
It has been estimated that the number of official deaths attributed to Covid-19 in care homes is significantly lower than the actual number of people to have lost their lives in care as a result Read More
Community Involvement Award winners Fidler and Pepper have taken the time to discuss donations and good deeds during social distancing lockdown. The Wills and probate sector have been unbelievably supportive to communities struggling to adapt Read More
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) process last week to ensure service continuity and minimal delays whilst the UK is in lockdown. Firstly, until restrictions are lifted HMRC will Read More
Retirees could lose pension protections through the triple lock guarantee in order to help fund the support offered to the UK public during the lockdown. According to research from thinktank, Social Market Foundation (SMF), state Read More
Pension payments are being deferred or delayed by hundreds of businesses in the UK because of Covid-19’s impact on the economy. According to research by Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP), more than 500 businesses will Read More
The most recent data suggests that deaths registered in England and Wales for this time of year are at their highest levels since records began in 2005. According to data for the week up to April 3, Read More
A daughter who challenged her late father’s Will after her terminally ill stepmother disinherited her has lost a High Court battle. Carly Shapton, brought the case against her father’s (Colin Seviour) estate and Read More
In these unprecedented times, Wills and Probate professionals have been pushed to their limits. The combination of increased demand and unconventional approaches to completing Wills whilst on lockdown has forced many practitioners to find innovative Read More
The charity sector will benefit from a £750 million support package to help ease the financial burden many will suffer as a result of social distancing restrictions. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the investment during the Read More
Medical staff requesting Wills is now twelve times higher than December last year. Fowwoling reports that at least seven NHS workers have lost their lives to Covid-19, workers on the front line are looking to Read More
The maximum amount a family can claim for help with coffin expenses increased by 43 per cent yesterday. As of April 8, families in need of financial support to help pay funeral expenses, such as coffins and Read More
Throughout March, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has noticed an NHS workforce increase in ‘many urgent requests to search the database for people who have lost mental capacity.’ Given the situation we are Read More
Equity release providers are no longer expected to ensure customers receive face to face legal advice before taking out an equity release product. The Equity Release Council published the temporary modification to enable those in Read More