Inheritance Tax Rebates Increase As House Prices Decline
Many estates could be entitled to significant inheritance tax rebates if the property market continues to contract and property prices continue to fall. The economy is worrying for many as political uncertainty continues to destabilise many business sectors including the property market. Whilst this is a worrying time for sellers that may be forced to […]
Probate Genealogists Proudly Supports Sector Awards Ceremony
Kin Probate is thrilled to be a part of the second upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. Professional probate genealogists, Kin Probate are honoured to be supporting the awards […]
UK Trusts And Estates Decline For Fourth Consecutive Year
The number of trusts and estates fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2017/18 to 149,500. This represents a 29% drop in the past 12 years since the 220,500 trusts and estates recorded in 2005/06, according to new data from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). In 2013/14, 171,500 trusts and estates made a full self-assessment. […]
Top UK Barristers Chambers Supports Exclusive Sector Awards
3PB Barristers is thrilled to be a part of the second upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. One of the largest and leading sets of barrister’s chambers in the […]
It’s Back! Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order Reinstated Alongside Parliament
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful. Following that decision, Parliament swiftly resumed business as usual which meant Parliamentary Orders and Notices that were suspended now have a new lease of life. This means that the previously lapsed Non-Contentious Probate (Fees) Order 2018 will also return […]
Law Society Dissatisfied Over HMCTS Withholding Probate Statistics
The Law Society is disappointed to read that the court statistics released yesterday had withheld the latest probate volumes. The Q2 statistics revealed by HMCTS for the numbers of probates issued did not contain the latest volumes in them and instead had a note in the publication stating, “In discussion with the Chief Statistician, we […]
UKLTA Announces Legaltech Roundtable Series
The Legal Technology Association for the UK (UKLTA) are delighted to announce a series of informative legaltech roundtables taking place across the UK during the Autumn. The aim of the roundtables is to build a greater understanding of the issues around engagement with legal technology and determine how best the UKLTA can help. The output […]
Conducting Genealogical Research With Insurance In Mind
When searching for missing beneficiaries in estate administration, it’s important to conduct genealogical research with insurance in mind. If a missing beneficiary can’t be found, it’s likely that you’ll need to protect the estate from future claims by obtaining missing beneficiary indemnity insurance. During the application process for missing beneficiary insurance, insurers will normally ask […]
Email Fraud Targeting Wills And Probate Sector Consumers
Emails claiming to be sent from a law firm in regards to an inheritance issue have been sent to the public as email fraud becomes an ever increasing threat to legal service professionals. Over two thirds of the UK public believe they have been targeted by phishing emails in the last six months. According to […]
Unscrupulous Attorney Jailed For Abusing Her Position
An attorney entrusted with settling the financial affairs of two people she had known for over 20 years has been jailed for abusing her position and stealing over £75,000 between 2013 and 2017. Monica Bailey was deemed ‘wicked’ and ‘greedy’ as she was sentenced to two years in prison for abusing her power of attorney […]
HMCTS Launch Online Probate National Trial
Legal professionals are now able to access probate services online. From the start of October, HM Courts and Tribunals service have increased the online access for legal professionals to make applications for probate, intestacy or a grant of representation after a national pilot was launched. Since the pilot process was implemented over 50 law firms […]
Almost 2,000 Homes Per Month Sold To Fund Social Care
On average, 1,760 older homeowners per month or 406 older homeowners every week are being forced to sell their homes to fund their social care costs. According to new research by Independent Age, 21,120 homes were sold in 2018 with the funds being used to pay for the vital care all people should be entitled […]
Settify Enlist AI To Make Will-Drafting Faster, Easier And More Profitable
Solicitors at Probaters and legal technologists Settify have joined forces to design and successfully launch Europe’s first artificially intelligent Wills and Estates client intake system. The online system uses artificial intelligence to help firms interact with new Wills and Estate clients in real time. One of the benefits of this new system, sees it being […]
Siblings Win High Court Battle Protecting Trust From Inheritance Tax
Three siblings, orphaned after losing both their father and mother between 2010 and 2016, have won a High Court ruling which will protect £112,000 of their trust from the clutches of inheritance tax. Following the death of her husband in 2010, Sally Elizabeth Alston set aside £250,000 in the form of a trust which would […]
Too Many Estates Complete Onerous Tax Notification Forms
At least two fifths of all UK estates are being forced to complete burdensome tax notification forms after the death of a loved one despite only a fraction of all UK estates being liable to pay inheritance tax. According to recently published inheritance tax information by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), since 2009 at least […]
Dementia And The Benefits Of A Lasting Power Of Attorney
What is an Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? An LPA covers decisions about your financial affairs, or your health and care. It comes in effect if you lose mental capacity, or if you no longer want to make decisions for yourself. You would set up an LPA if you want to make sure you’re covered […]
The UK’s Concerning Social Care Problem
A House of Lords select committee has urged the Government to immediately increase spending on social care by £8 billion in order to restore social care to acceptable standards. The Economic Affairs Committee recently published its report ‘Social Care Funding: time to end a national scandal today’. The report makes a number of recommendations that […]
Technology, Legal Service Access And The Impact On Vulnerable People
In recent years, legal technology has grown exponentially with AI integrations, automated services, fully online legal services and the increase in electronic signatures changing the way consumers receive legal services. Whilst technology is widening the access of legal services, how safe is this digital migration for vulnerable people? A Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) led […]
Arken Supports Prestigious Industry Awards Ceremony For Second Year Running
A leader in software solutions for the legal services industry, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd are extremely proud to be supporting the upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards for the second year running, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate. As headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd are delighted to be a part of […]
Guardcover Sponsors Probate Provider of the Year Category
Guardcover is excited to be a part of the second upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. Leading insurance experts, Guardcover are honoured to be supporting the awards by sponsoring […]
