Category: Interest

Call For Evidence The Government Want Your Views On Digital Identity

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMC) has launched a consultation on digital identity, and is seeking your views on how the Government can support the development and secure use of digital identities fit for the UK’s growing digital economy. The consultation states: “We welcome written responses to this call for evidence from […]

Judge Makes Decision On All Or Nothing Case

A High Court Judge has used the Commorientes Rule, and decided that Ann Scarle outlived her husband John after they both passed away at their home in Essex in October 2016. John Scarle aged 79 and his wife Ann aged 69 died of hypothermia in 2016. The last known sighting of Mr Scarle was on […]

Hand Writing Expert Enters Aretha Franklin Will Saga

Following the discovery of a number of hand written Wills found stuffed into the cushion covers of Aretha Franklin’s plush sofa in one of her luxurious mansions, a Michigan based judge has allowed a hand writing expert to examine the alleged Wills. This story is rumbling on, epitomising  the disharmony that can be created when […]

Webinar: Certainty Expert present: A Practical Introduction To Mental Health & Well-Being In The Workplace

Join us on Tuesday 20th August at 12.00pm where we will be joined by Central Law Training and our presenters, Lubna Gem Arielle and Elizabeth Rimmer, who will be presenting our next instalment of Certainty Expert Webinars. Mental health and well-being, and the positive steps firms can take to promote it, has been a hot […]

Confusing IHT Rules Trigger HMRC To Investigate 23% Of All Estates

23% of all estates liable to pay inheritance tax are investigated by HM Revenue and Customs. According to a recent Freedom of Information request, made by financial planners Quilters, 5,000 of the 22,000 estates liable for inheritance tax last year were forced to endure the inconvenience and indignity of a further investigation by HMRC. The […]

Elizabeth Hurley’s Son Wins Case To Be Included In Family Trust

It has been revealed that Elizabeth Hurley’s son, Damian, has won a long-fought legal battle with his estranged millionaire grandfather in regards to an inheritance trust that aimed to cut certain grandchildren out. The trust’s creator, Dr Peter Bing, sought to prevent Damian from accessing the inheritance, originally set up to support his grandchildren, because […]

Claudia’s Law to come into effect from the end of July

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed that the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017 will come into force from the 31st of July 2019. The Act, informally known as Claudia’s Law, will allow families to oversee the financial and property affairs of a missing loved one. The new legislation aims to remove the financial and administrative […]

BBC Radio Soap Opera Highlights Importance Of Farming Estate Planning

The long-running BBC Radio 4 soap opera, The Archers, has been praised for highlighting the importance of ensuring farming families consider estate planning implications following life and family changes. A story line, which reached a climactic point last week, involved concerned mother, Pat Archer, advising her son, Tom, to make a pre-nuptial agreement or other […]

Northumberland Church Becomes Setting Of Difficult Land Dispute

The threat of a light summer breeze brushes through the lush vegetation and gently sways through the enveloping trees protecting the stark grey stoned Victorian church. Once upon a time, this Northumberland church setting with picturesque, antiquated gravestones would have been the dream resting location for any Christian after death. However, this once popular community […]

Inheritance Disputes: Man Kills Brother After Will Omission

A man has been jailed for 18 years after killing his brother following an intense inheritance dispute. According to Direct Line research, the number of Wills and probate disputes making their way to HM Courts and Tribunals system increased by 6% in 2018. However, enraged that he had been omitted from his father’s Will following […]

Newcastle Law Firm, Muckle, Bolster Private Client Department

Newcastle based law firm, Muckle, have increased their private client offerings with the appointment of a new lawyer to their growing team. Christian Swinburne is an experienced practitioner in private client legal services, specialising in Wills, estate planning, LPA/deputyship services and probate work. Additionally, Christian has extensive experience working with agricultural and landowner estate issues. […]

Court Finds Instagram Posts Prove Johnny Hallyday’s French Residency

A proverbial tug-of-war involving the legendary French singer, Johnny Hallyday’s, $100 million estate is reaching an exciting climax as new technology and social media is being used as evidence. French and American intestacy laws have been pitted against each other since the French Elvis’ death in 2017. Now, the case of Hallyday’s residency appears to […]

Strange Will Requests: Healthy Dog Killed And Buried With Deceased Owner

Following strict instructions as to what should happen to a Virginia woman’s pet dog after she died, a poor unfortunate Shia Tzu, in the pinnacle of health, was euthanized so that it could be buried with her owner. Having been sent to Chesterfield Country animal shelter on March 8th after the owner was rushed to […]

Charity Sector Given Less Than 6 Weeks To Prepare For Wills Notification Changes

Charities will be given less than six weeks to prepare for the new Wills Notification service. HM Courts and Tribunals Service have confirmed that the charity sector will not be offered any further details on the replacement and interim Wills Notification Service until June 18, less than six weeks before the new system will start. […]

IPW Discuss Benefits Of Joining An Industry Organisation

Established members of professional organisations will already be aware of the innate benefits that can be enjoyed. Whilst many businesses may approach an organisation like the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) or Institute of Scottish Professional Willwirters (ISPW) with a specific motive in mind, potential members looking to join will be surprised by the immeasurable […]

What does the Supreme Court ruling on civil partnerships ruling mean for your clients?

The Supreme Court ruled last month that the UK is discriminating against heterosexual couples who would prefer a civil partnership over getting married when it comes to formalising a relationship.

Do new data protection rules mean beneficiaries have the right to be told if they’re named in a will?

Since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force earlier this year, will-writers across the country have been questioning what this means to them.

How I Coped with Stress

This is a blog by Jonathan de Lance-Holmes which originally featured on LawCare.

New Law Society president inaugurated

It’s today (05/07/18) been revealed that Christina Blacklaws has taken office as the 174th president of the Law Society of England and Wales today in a ceremony at Chancery Lane, London.

Cold-calling ban put on hold

It’s been confirmed by the Treasury that the cold-calling ban has been delayed.