Additional Permitted Subscription on ISAs Significantly Underused
A recent freedom of information (FoI) request submitted to HM Revenue and Customs, by Zurich, has found that the Additional Permitted Subscription allowance (APS) on ISAs is only used by about 13% of the UK’s grieving spouses per year. In 2015, the government amended rules for married couples and civil partners, allowing them to possess […]
Court Of Protection Jail Man For Exploiting Vulnerable Pensioner
The Court of Protection has sent a man to jail for impersonating an elderly dementia-sufferer (referred to in court as KJ) in order to obtain financial benefit. The convicted man, Shaun Hill, had previously been ordered not to contact KJ or come within 100m of his home because of fears that he was exploiting KJ, […]
Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin Owed Millions In Unpaid Tax Says IRS
When soul legend Aretha Franklin died in August aged 76 she left no will to her vast estate. As interested parties file documents with Oakland County Probate Court, the IRS has joined the fray claiming back tax believed to be in the region of $6.3 million plus penalties and interest, a possible total of nearly […]
Universal Wealth Owner Jailed For Contempt Of Court
In October 2018, the doors suspiciously slammed shut on the many workers of inheritance planning firm, Universal Wealth Management. The Ipswich offices lay abandoned whilst the anxious clients, who had invested in the many Trusts to help with their retirement and inheritance, paced nervously, looking for the remnants of their valuable investments. According to recent […]
Becoming An IPW Or ISPW Member Through Examination Exemption Routes
Happy New Year from the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) and Institute of Scottish Professional Willwriters (ISPW). We hope that you have enjoyed a magical festive period and are ready to provide the best service for your valued customers in 2019. 2019 could be a huge year in the Wills and Estate Planning sector as […]
Lawsuit Outcome Could Increase Regulations Regarding Cryptoassets
Ever since we traded the tape deck and CD player for digital music, the concept of digital assets and property owned digitally has been widely debated. Similarly, as cryptocurrency continues to develop, how this new currency is regulated by the countries it is used in, has also started to gather momentum. It was only on […]
2019 Predictions To The Changing Wills and Probate Sector
Before 2018 came to an end the Government announced the proposed new probate fees which have certainly rattled professionals in the sector and will continue to do so in 2019. So, what will happen in the Wills and probate industry in 2019? Below, we look at key topics which could dominate the coming year. Payment […]
Latest Innovations In The Will Writing Industry: Reducing RISK For You And Your Clients
We understand just how important it is to know that your choice of legal document drafting Software is both compliant and manages risk, particularly when inheritance levels are set to increase. Countrywide Legacy is simply more than just legal document drafting software, it risk manages and audits the instruction taking and drafting process at every […]
A Review Of The Wills And Probate Sector In 2018
As 2018 is coming to an end, we can review and re-cap what has happened in the Wills and probate industry. There has been big changes in the past 12 months which will effect the sector going forward which has included key Government related announcements and thought-provoking research papers which could transform the future of […]
House Of Lords Vote For Probate Fees Changes
The House of Lords have overwhelmingly voted against the changes to the non-contentious Probate fees bill. In a recent vote, 187 voted against declining the changes, whilst only 90 peers deemed the current system worthy of remaining in its current iteration. Lord Marks, of Henley on Thames, commented: “That this House declines to approve the draft […]
Working Remotely Could Compromise Cyber Security
According to a 2018 study, 70% of people globally work remotely at least once a week; these statistics have not gone unnoticed by the savvy cyber criminal. 80% of all businesses in the UK have seen an increase in staff working remotely over the past two years according to a recent report by CybSafe. However, […]
Millennials – The Forgotten Generation In Wills And Probate
‘The Will Writing Industry in 2018’ report found that 45% of the UK now have a Will, this has increased by 6% from the 39% recorded in 2017. However, this is impacted by the 75% of people aged over 54-years who do have a Will. However, when you look into the Millennial Generation, only 12% […]
2018 – A Year In Review
2018 has been a year to remember for Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Ltd (CTTC Ltd). From featuring in the Parliamentary Review to introducing innovative and ground-breaking features into our legal document drafting Software, Countrywide Legacy. We take a look back at our highlights of the year. Parliamentary Review Pictured above are Countrywide Directors Bob […]
Gaining Expert Understanding on Issues Around Capacity and the Elderly
In November, ‘The Will Writing Industry in 2018’, report found that 6% more of the population made a Will in 2018 than in the previous year. 45% of Britons now have a Will; this figure has increased from 39% recorded in 2017. The trend of older age groups making a Will has also continued to […]
SWW Expands Member Benefits With New Partners
The Society of Will Writers is a non-profit making self regulatory organisation which seeks to protect the public and serve the interests of those men and women who are active professionals in our field. The Society has set itself two main tasks: To promote to the public at large the real need and sense in […]
Four SMEs Will Be Breached By Cyber Criminals Every Two Years
Cyber crime has the potential to cripple a business. Within the last year, data breaches have caused reputational damage to a multitude of businesses including British Airways, Morrisons and the NHS. Additionally, the legal sector has faced record financial losses through cyber crime and attempts to steal data through data breaches are at an all […]
Santander Fined for Poor Bereavement Processes
Customers of Santander were failed for more than three years in regards to the probate services provided by the financial juggernaut. The FCA have consequently fined Santander £32.8 million for the way it dealt with the bereavement process of over 40,000 customers between the years of 2013 and 2016. According to the FCA, beneficiaries were […]
ICO Given Increased Powers To Fine Directors For Spam Calls
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) have been granted new powers which allow it to fine bosses for spam calls. As of this week, starting on the 17th December, company directors and senior officers could be held personally liable for nuisance calls, and be forced to pay up to £500,000 for any breaches. The ICO has […]
Harper Lee’s Estate In Dispute With Mockingbird Stage Production
Representatives from Harper Lee’s estate have forced Broadway Producers of the most recent version of To Kill A Mockingbird to reconsider the way they portray the iconic leading character Atticus Finch. The newest adaptation of Lee’s perception of racist oppression in America’s South, written by Aaron Sorkin, famous for writing The West Wing, portrayed the […]
Excess Winter Deaths Highest Since 1975
The Office for National Statistics’ (ONS) recently published Excess Winter Deaths (EWD) data for England and Wales has revealed that England and Wales experienced more EWDs than any other year on recent record. 2017/18 excess winter deaths totalled 50,100. The records would have to go back to 1975/76 to find a year when more EWD […]
