Death benefit small print
When passing on death benefits, pension freedoms have brought in an element of legislative scope. However, in order to ensure death benefits are passed on in the way the client intended, it is important that the rules of their specific pension scheme are checked, as these are the ones which apply. The implications of failing […]
Keep your cool when cancelling a will
Much like other services, will writing also gives a 14-day cooling-off period. This conforms with the rights of a consumer under the Consumer Contracts Regulation 2013 (s.30) and is detailed specifically in regards to will writers of the Society of Will Writers (SWW) under their Code of Practice 6.2 4a. Any member of the SWW […]
Bare probate trust benefits
When dealing with an individual’s assets following their death, a specific process must be followed.
“No will = poo” campaign launched
The Society of Will Writers (SWW) have launched its no will equals poo campaign.
Solicitors ‘on the money’ in probate dealings as accountants fall short
The issue of who is best professionally equipped to deal with probate has proved contentious. Accountants have largely been recommended as the best to deliver the uncontested probate, as previously covered by Todays Wills and Probate here. However, the benefits of using a solicitor are also prominent and have been raised in response. Sally Harlow, […]
Families left at war over celebrity wills
Disputes over the wills of those in the public eye are becoming ever more prevalent. Celebrity estates of thousands or even millions of pounds are frequently becoming the centre of bitter disputes between family members, with asset distribution leading to rifts dividing those left behind. Most recently reported as having a problem with a celebrity […]
Coventry’s inheritance fortune remains unclaimed
Having not made a will and lacking a known next-of-kin, deceased Coventry residents have left millions of pounds’ worth of money, property and valuables in their wake. Over 100 estates have yet to be claimed by the relatives of those who were born or passed away in the city, according to the Government’s treasury solicitor. […]
Death duty reduction not just for Dukes
Interest has once again returned to trust structures and the nature of future tax planning; both once seen as practices utilised by the wealthy leading to criticism as a means for families to pass fortunes through generations by reduction of tax duties.
The majority of UK adults do not have a will
More than half of UK adults have not written a will, according to the most recent data from the IFA and solicitor search engine, Prudential and Unbiased.co.uk. This is further to last year’s findings previously reported on Today’s Wills & Probate, which revealed nationwide figures of completed wills were low especially among the younger generations. […]
Further succession proposals for Scotland may cause greater impact for those intestate
Further proposed changes to Scottish succession law may mean Scots face even greater pressure in considering how their wealth is passed on following death.
Is your will bank an untapped resource?
With combined experience of 50 years within the management team, we spoke to Mark Mattocks and Steve Lawton, Directors at Law Lead Media (LLM) about marketing and business development within the legal sector and surprising results from their recent pilot test. So tell me a little about the background of Law Lead Media “LLM is […]
One in three rely on inheritance for future stability
A third of working Brits – 35%, are relying on their inheritance to secure their financial future according to research carried out by insurer LV=. It was revealed that the most common thing UK residents would do with an inheritance is to pay off their mortgage and clear other outstanding debts. 16% of those polled […]
We are living longer – why it’s important to make an LPA early
Kerry Morgan-Gould, Solicitor and Legal Director at Ashfords LLP, takes a closer look at the aging population and what impact this has on mental capacity and the effect on children who have elderly parents.
Will disputes increase following a rise in ‘silver’ divorces
According to recent figures, 10% of those age 65 and over are now a divorcee, which has subsequently led to many divided and blended families coming to blows over who has the rights to inheritance, particularly once a person remarries. The average number of males over the age of 60 who divorce rose by nearly […]
Why the Sikh community aren’t making wills
Raj Singh Rainu looks into the top reasons why making a will is such a taboo subject in the Asian community.
Should Power of Attorney legislation be reviewed?
The son of a late dementia sufferer is now in discussions with Parliament this summer, following a successful campaign.
Brexit effect on IHT and Probate
Alyson Coulson, Partner and specialist in trust and estates at law firm Hart Brown, looks at the current IHT and probate situation and whether BREXIT will have any effect
What prompts someone to make a will?
A bane of our industry is that there is no call to action to make a will, and consequently people put it off. When someone buys a house they need a conveyancer, and if a couple get divorced they generally instruct a divorce lawyer, but how do we press the right button to prompt someone to […]
Revealed: the Wills & Probate Practitioners most often up before the Ombudsman
These are the ten firms most often subject to decisions by the Legal Ombudsman with regards to wills and probate work. In total there were 244 firms subject to a total of 279 decisions between 1st April 2015 and 31st March 2016. Handley Brown LLP were subject to seven decisions, with the Ombudsman requiring a […]
Legacies: working together to fulfil final wishes
Chris Millward, Chief Executive of the Institute of Legacy Management, highlights the need for positive working relationships between charity legacy teams and probate professionals.
