Equity Release Grows For Seventh Consecutive Year
As people look for ways to finance their later life, equity release ended 2018 with record levels of investment. Total lending in equity release has grown for the seventh consecutive year. The 3.94 billion extracted through equity release plans is a 29% increase on the figures for 2017. Additionally, £1.08 billion of the total figure […]
Islamic Marriages Must Be Civilly Recognised By 2020
Concerned for the rights of Muslim women, The Council of Europe has decreed that all Islamic weddings must civilly declare their marriage before any Islamic religious wedding ceremony can take place. Currently, Nikah only marriages, are not legally recognised under UK law, seriously limiting the power of Muslim women. Considerable levels of criticism have been […]
The Vital Balance Between Technology and Human Legal Service Professionals
Consumer expectations have started to shift in recent years; spurred on, in part, by technological advancements. The consumer now lives a lifestyle of instant gratification. Gone are the days where a customer is forced to wait outside a physical location for the shop to open before making their desired purchase; it can now be bought […]
Did You Miss Out?
Did you miss this month’s Supermen Webinar? If so, no problem, we are giving you the opportunity to watch a recording of it. The Webinar focused on Risk Management and demonstrated exactly how our Legal Document Drafting Software, can mitigate risks to your Will writing business which pose a threat to its success. Here at […]
Supermen Webinar 50 – Lifetime Trusts & Gifting
Agenda: The New Countrywide Gift Trust – Put in when you want! Gifting and the RNRB – Points to clarify. Why the spousal bypass trust isn’t dead. Register your place NOW on our FREE webinar! All Webinars commence at 10:00am and finish at 11:00am Register on 8th February Register on 11th February This article […]
Solicitor Jailed After Overcharging Vulnerable Clients’ Estates £1 Million
Edgar Stephen Thomas, a solicitor from Pembrokeshire, has been jailed for six years following the admission that he had defrauded 23 estates of his deceased vulnerable clients. In total, 16 families have become victims of Mr Thomas as he overcharged them £1 million for his services and in some cases lied about the work that […]
You Cannot Simply Take The Risk Says Elizabeth Middleton
It is not uncommon for a client to be in possession of a Will that they believe may not be the last Will written by the testator. Elizabeth Middleton, Principle at Elizabeth Middleton Solicitors, comments: “As a firm, we always advise our clients to perform a Certainty Will Search, you cannot simply take the risk […]
Potential Detrimental Impacts Of Mental Capacity Amendments
The Court of Protection and Mental Capacity Act is transitioning through a number of key amendments including the Liberty Protection Safeguards. With monumental shifts in how Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards are administered. Those in opposition, including The Law Society, Labour Party and various charity organisations, have argued that the government amendments have been rushed through, […]
Digital Will Writing Company Farewill Receive £7.5 Million Investment
The world of Will writers, estate planning providers and probate services may need to adapt as a market leader has started the process of increasing their digital Wills and Probate presence. Farewill, a probate startup and digital Will writing specialist with a considerable market share, has raised £7.5 million in a recent series A funding […]
New Simpler Online Probate Service Launched For The Public
HM Courts and Tribunals service (HMCTS) has launched the new online probate service throughout England and Wales. Throughout the second half of 2018, HMCTS had trialled the online system, that enables the bereaved to apply for a grant of probate, make the statement of truth online and pay for probate using the online service. During […]
90% Of Consumers Uncomfortable Using AI Technology In Will Completion
In recent years there has been a consumer expectation that legal services are completed efficiently and conveniently accessible for the service user. Whilst the use of technology is increasingly being utilised to ensure these consumer expectations are met, a huge amount of people still prefer human interaction and decision making. According to a recent survey […]
First Of Its Kind – UK Probate Research Awards Set For 7 February 2019
Supported by National Association of Paralegals (NALP) and Aviva Legal Indemnities Endorsed by the Association of Professional Probate Researchers (IAPPR) Presented by BBC personality, Nikki Bedi Age UK benefits from Awards silent auction proceeds Nominations close 20 January 2019 www.probateresearchawards.org A world first, The UK Probate Research Awards will celebrate the achievements and examples of excellence across […]
Institute Of Legacy Management Discusses Increased Probate Fees’ Impact On Charities
Solicitor and Chair of the Institute of Legacy Management, and Head of Legacy Professional Partnerships at Cancer Research UK, Maria King, talks about the damaging effects that the planned increases in probate fees will have on the charitable sector. As Probate professionals I’m sure all readers of Today’s Wills and Probate will be familiar with […]
Roundtable Contemplates Potential Opportunities From Probate Fee Increases
Another successful and engaging Today’s Wills and Probate roundtable took place yesterday with professionals discussing the challenges associated with the coming year. The event was held at the ICC International convention centre in Birmingham where we welcomed experts from across the sector in anticipation to hear their views and opinions on an ever changing industry […]
The Inheritance (Provision For Family And Dependants) Act 1975
The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”) enables a child of the deceased to make a claim against his or her estate in circumstances whereby the deceased did not make reasonable financial provision for them in their will (or by an intestacy). The scope of what constitutes a child extends […]
Where Do You And Your Will Writing Business Sit?
Every business faces risks that could present threats to its success. Risk is defined as the probability of an event and its consequences. Risk management is the practice of using processes, methods and tools for managing these risks. Here at Countrywide Legacy our aim is to: help you safeguard your business give your clients maximum […]
Managing Risk In Your Will Writing Business
Every business faces risks that could present threats to its success. Risk is defined as the probability of an event and its consequences. Risk management is the practice of using processes, methods and tools for managing these risks. Here at Countrywide Legacy our aim is to: help you safeguard your business give your clients maximum […]
The Institute Proudly Announces Conference Date
The annual IPW and ISPW Annual General Meeting and Willwriting Academy National Conference is fast approaching and will undoubtedly be the sector’s leading conference on issues relating to Estate Planning and Wills. On Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st March, IPW members will receive the innate and priceless benefits that can only be gained by attending […]
Webinar Update On The Newly Launched Service From The British Banking Association/UK Finance
Title: Making notifying the banks of a death easier for your clients’: An update on the newly launched service from the British Banking Association/UK Finance Presenter: Stuart Simpson, Equiniti Date: Wednesday 30th January 2019 Time: 12.00pm Link: https://goto.webcasts.com/starthere.jsp?ei=1226030&tp_key=de1d4e9ec6 We are delighted to welcome Stuart Simpson from Equiniti who will presenting the next instalment of Certainty […]
Probate Work, Didn’t Bank On That!
Fiona Smith, Director at Carlsons Solicitors: “When our client brought in a Will for the deceased believing it to be the last Will, we discovered that it was an unsigned draft and therefore not valid. This meant that we needed to find out if there was a signed copy. The unsigned Will appointed a bank […]
