Can You Remove or Replace an Executor?

If you think an Executor is doing a poor job of managing the estate of a loved one, it may be possible to remove or replace them. But it’s far from straightforward. Executor’s Responsibility An Executor is appointed in a Will to manage the deceased person’s estate. It’s their responsibility to distribute the person’s money…

Impact of Stamp Duty Holiday on House Purchases

Confirmation of the much talked about ‘stamp duty holiday’ was announced on 8 July in Rishi Sunak’s ‘Summer Economic Update’ on all property sales in England and Northern Ireland. Along with temporary VAT cuts for pubs, restaurants and cafes, the measure is aimed at stimulating the UK housing market. And the changes are introduced with…

5 Key Benefits of Appointing A Professional Executor

Many choose to appoint a close friend or family member as an Executor, but before you choose you should seriously consider the benefits of appointing a professional. The process of choosing the people who are responsible for dealing with your estate upon your death is an extremely important part of the process of making a…

Adult Child Loses Inheritance Act Claim

In recent years, Inheritance Act claims by those who feel they have been unfairly cut out of a Will have escalated. However, a recent “absolutely hopeless” case brought by an adult child, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, highlights how such litigation is uncertain, stressful and often costly. The Case –…

Impact of Coronavirus on Your House Purchase or Sale

The Government’s announcement last month, freeing-up the restrictions imposed in March on buying or selling a house, has helped to lift spirits and slow down the rate of transactions collapsing. But what impact will the new Coronavirus regulations have on your house sale or purchase? Essentially, as long as social distancing guidelines are followed, and…

The Role of Discretionary Trusts in Your Will

It’s not uncommon to set up a Discretionary Trust in your Will. This mechanism allows you to ringfence some or all of your Estate, often to support a loved one who is vulnerable or unable to manage their own affairs. Or safeguarding cash or assets for loved ones going through a divorce or a period…

Lasting Powers of Attorney and Jointly Owned Property

We always advise clients to put a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place whilst they still have the mental capacity to do so. And, if figures released by the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) are anything to go by, people throughout the UK are convinced of the benefits. Over 800,000 LPAs were registered…

Acting as an Attorney or Deputy During Coronavirus Outbreak

Acting safely as a Deputy or Attorney during the Coronavirus outbreak is concerning for many. However, outside the need to follow robust social distancing regime, shielding and self-isolating when necessary; the roles and responsibilities for Deputies and Attorneys remain the same. Responsibilities During the Coronavirus Outbreak  Working closely with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the…

Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney During Coronavirus Crisis

As you might expect, since the Coronavirus crisis began, we’ve received a high volume of client requests asking to make or amend a Will or Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). It seems, our clients are not alone. A recent report compiled by The De Vere Group shows a startling increase of 76% in demand from…

Trusts and Protecting Your Assets

We’ve written a few articles about the government’s planned increases in probate fees. A plan which, if implemented as intended, has been dubbed a ‘stealth tax’. Unsurprisingly, amid widespread condemnation, we’ve seen a marked increase in enquiries from clients about the potential benefits of setting up trusts. Can this approach mitigate inheritance tax liability and increased…

Being an Executor Carries Responsibility & Risk

Acting as an Executor is not a job to be taken lightly. Whilst it’s very gratifying to be asked, the role does carry a great deal of responsibility and in certain circumstances, significant risk. As Executor, you will have overall responsibility for dealing with the administration of the deceased person’s estate, as stipulated by law.…

Avoiding Family Disputes Over Your Will

There’s been a sharp increase in disputes over Wills in recent years. Last year alone saw a 60% increase of claims on estates by disappointed beneficiaries going through the courts. And, considering many cases settle out of court, the reality is that the increase is likely to be much higher. Some may think this rather defeats…

Should We Sign the House Over to The Kids?

It’s a question we’re often asked. Should we sign over our house to the kids? Or put it into a trust? Whatever your circumstances are, your home is probably your biggest asset, so consider the implications of what you do carefully. Signing over your house isn’t risk-free. And there are plenty of misconceptions about the…

Applying The ‘Golden Rule’ Matters When Making Your Will

The Importance of Assessing Testamentary Capacity For solicitors and Will writers, one of the most important parts of drawing up a Will is assessing a client’s ‘testamentary capacity’. If the client is elderly or ill or there are any doubts about their capacity, how a practitioner might determine this, is very important. Since the 70’s…

Unfairly Left Out of A Will

Media stories about ordinary families at war over their inheritance are commonplace. It seems it’s no longer just about celebrities and the mega-rich either. Disputes often occur in ordinary families about being unfairly left out of a Will. Many people assume they have an inalienable right to leave their cash and assets to whomever they…

Statutory Legacy Amount to Increase

The amount a surviving spouse or civil partner can inherit (when there isn’t a Will) is set to change. Known as the statutory legacy, the limit, which was set at £250,000 in 2014, will rise to £270,000 on 6 February 2020. Statutory Legacy Limit Increase The increase has broadly been welcomed by most professionals. Nonetheless,…

Challenging Cost of Caring for the Elderly

The cost of care for the elderly isn’t far from the headlines these days. And it’s not without controversy either. Many of us may recognise the benefits of home care, but the cost of a commercial arrangement is beyond the reach of most. So, it’s likely that children or other family members will step into…

Understanding The Process of Buying a House

Understanding the process of buying a house, especially for the first time, is far from easy. The whole process can seem over-lengthy and shrouded in legal jargon. So, if you can get your head around the basics of buying a house, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise. The whole buying process will become…

What are the Benefits of a Personal Injury Trust?

A Personal Injury Trust works pretty much the same way as most trusts, in that the Trust is created to manage assets (money, investments, land or buildings) for people. But there are several tangible benefits to setting up a Personal Injury Trust for those who will need long-term care following a severe injury. The main…

Planning ahead? Be smart about what you leave behind.

When you’re gone, you’ll want all your hard work to fully benefit your family and loved ones. But Inheritance Tax liability can reduce the size of the estate you are able to leave behind. Be smart and plan ahead. If your estate is worth more than the threshold for Inheritance Tax, there are things you…

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