Everything You Need To Know About Funeral Plans
By the end of 2019, over 2 million funeral plans had been sold in the UK since 2002, according to the Funeral Planning Authority^. However, there is still some uncertainty around funeral plans – what they are, how they work and how secure any money paid is. So, what exactly is a funeral plan? A […]
Witnessing Wills In A Covid-19 World
As the legal profession is aware, under current UK law, for a will to be valid it must be signed by the testator in the presence of two independent adults. However, there are a number of discussions taking place looking at the way in which the rules around wills should be interpreted due to the […]
Movers and Shakers – 10 July 2020
Here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This week we’ve seen the following announcements with regards to appointments and promotions: Louise Igoe has been promoted to Head of Private […]
Prince Charles Launches Covid-19 Book Of Remembrance
St Paul’s Cathedral has launched the Remember Me Project which includes a national book of remembrance to help celebrate and reflect on the lives of the people who have tragically lost their lives to Covid-19. The tangible book is welcoming messages from all faiths including those who do not have a religious or spiritual belief. […]
Ask An Expert: 007 – A License To Bill
In a short commentary for Today’s Conveyancer, Simon McCrum, former Managing Partner of national firm Darbys Solicitors, discusses his experience of joining the business in 2007 just weeks before the Credit Crunch. That business in due course became the UK’s fastest-growing law firm. Now a Management Consultant for law firms through McCrum Consulting, Simon shares […]
Introducing The British Wills & Probate Award’s Headline Sponsors: Arken.legal (UK) Ltd
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Although plans for the Gala Dinner, scheduled for 22nd October 2020, have been put on hold until there is greater clarity from the Government on the nature of social distancing requirements post-lockdown, The British […]
Conditional Fee Arrangement Case Study
The recently reported case of In Re: H (2020) EWHC 1134 (Fam) may well be of interest to practitioners who regularly act in claims brought under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 and, in particular, those who act in cases where the claimant is funding their claim by way of a Conditional […]
Business Continuity During COVID-19 (Part 3): Releasing Lockdown
Business Continuity during COVID-19 (part 3): Releasing Lockdown – Wednesday 3rd June, 10-11am As we start to see lockdown measures easing and the potential return to the office, what do you need to consider? In this webinar, we will take a look at key drivers for both you and your staff. From agile working, new […]
Lockdown Causes Probate Applications To Drop
The Government has revealed that applications for grants of probate have fallen by 50% since 23rd March 2020, the date the coronavirus lockdown began. On average, HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) usually receive between 5,000-6,000 applications from both individuals and solicitors, but revealed that the restrictions placed on the public have prevented people from […]
Have Businesses Adapted Quickly Enough To New Normal?
Technology and internet enabled devices have helped the world remain connected whilst in lockdown. For many key workers providing Wills services, this has been a time of quick adaptation. Firms and businesses have needed to provide a digital service whether that is through completing the Wills process or advertising their services. High street providers, reliant […]
Updated Grants Of Representation Compulsory From Monday
The eight-week introductory period for the new standard grant of representation application forms will lapse from Monday May 18. Any probate application using outdated methods involving a ‘statement of truth’ will now face delays as their forms, including the old statement of truth, ‘will be returned with a request for the appropriate new form.’ The […]
Ask An Expert: Communicating Effectively With Grieving Families
Recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data indicates that the UK has suffered over 50,000 more excess deaths in the opening five months of 2020. Unfortunately, this means that more clients are likely to need probate services for deceased relatives who have fallen victim to the virus. Governmental working restrictions are beginning to ease and […]
Countrywide Membership Which Includes Our Will Checking Service
Those of you who are members of Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd are aware that we offer a Will Checking Service. This service is INCLUDED in your monthly membership fee. We thought it would be helpful to circulate a reminder of what the service includes so you can ensure you are getting the most […]
Certainty Expert Webinar Presents Tom Dumont QC, Barrister At Radcliffe Chambers
We’re pleased to welcome back Tom Dumont QC, Barrister at Radcliffe Chambers who will be presenting May’s Certainty Expert Webinar on Thursday 21st May at 12.00pm, titled ‘Execution of Wills, especially in a Lockdown’. Since 1837, the law relating to the execution of Wills has changed very little, but still the rules are often broken, […]
Care Home Covid Deaths Decline For First Time
Data released yesterday has found that the number of deaths linked to Covid-19 in care homes is falling for the first time since the first recorded virus death at the start of April. According to the weekly ‘Deaths Registered in England and Wales’, 2,423 care home resident deaths attributed Covid-19 as the cause of death […]
Care Worker Deaths Signigicantly Higher Than Average
Care worker deaths attributed to Covid-19 are statistically significantly higher than the average rates of coronavirus deaths involving working age adults. According to Office for National Statistics (ONS) death data up to April 20, 2,494 working age adults (between 20 and 64 years old) have been killed by the virus. Of this number, 131 registered […]
Containing Care Home Covid Spread Governmental Priority
With care home deaths related to Covid-19 continuing to rise despite hospital deaths falling in recent weeks, the government’s 50 page ‘recovery’ document details the further protections and procedures being put in place to detect and prevent further care home fatalities. According to weekly death rate data in care homes up to April 24, almost […]
Church Of England Issues Three Phased Return Guidance
Following the Government’s plea for the Church of England to start officiating small funerals in their buildings again, the House of Bishops met via Zoom to discuss and agree a phased approach in reopening church buildings for official duties. The House of Bishops reiterated that current church closure decisions were made in accordance with Health […]
British Wills & Probate Awards Registration Date Extended
The British Wills & Probate Awards has announced the important decision to return for its third year, despite the uncertainty of Coronavirus. Never has there been a more important time to recognise the commitment of individuals and firms within the sector to supporting clients at this unprecedented time. Through Today’s Wills and Probate, we learn […]
Fraser And Fraser Unites British And Dutch Families In Time For VE Day
Research by the team at genealogists Fraser and Fraser has formed the basis for an article published in The Times as part of the newspaper’s coverage of the 75th anniversary of VE Day. The story began when Jack Prested and Jack “Busty” Clarke, British soldiers deployed in the final push for Allied victory in Europe, […]
