Clients Pledge Over £3.35 Million for Cancer Research

Cancer Research UK has recognised Curtis Parkinson’s clients for supporting their Free Will Service for nearly 20 years. Since 1999, these clients have pledged over £3.35 million in legacy gifts to the charity. Solicitor and Notary Public Kenneth Curtis and his team received a Gold certificate for their ongoing support from their Bingham, Bulwell, and […]

Inheritance Tax and The Residential Nil Rate Band (RNRB)

Maximising What You Leave Behind Most financial and legal experts will admit that the rules governing UK inheritance tax (IHT) are complex. Back in 2007, in an attempt to simplify the regime and “take the family home out of Inheritance Tax”, George Osborne promised to increase the nil rate band (NRB) from £325,000 to £1 […]

Daughter Beats Stepsister in £300k Inheritance Dispute

John & Ann Scarle, who died at home from hypothermia in October 2016, have been at the centre of a bitter inheritance dispute which settled recently, in August 2019. The argument ended up in the High Court after their two step-daughters quibbled over which parent died first. The case revolved around a little-used 100-year law, not […]

Persistent Probate Registry Delays Cost Dear

An Update Huge delays in submitting probate applications persist. A process that should take 2-3 weeks, in our experience, is still taking up to 12 weeks to turn around. According to a recent media report, as staff at the probate registry master the intricacies of their new software and battle with the backlog of applications, […]

Squabbling Over Wills

Were Relatives of Amy Winehouse & Aretha Franklin Destined to Argue? It’s crucial to keep your Will up-to-date and legally sound. Many assume this guarantees their wishes will be followed and avoids family disputes after they’re gone. However, estate disputes are surprisingly common, raising questions about who inherits what and what the deceased truly intended. […]

Is Your Care Home Contract Fair?

UK care home providers face direct fines if they mislead ‘customers’ Care homes are much the same as any other business. They are obliged to provide their ‘customers’ with a contract. And that contract should comply with consumer law. However, according to research by consumer association Which? in 2018, many care homes they looked at […]

Will the EU Succession Regulations (Brussels IV) Affect Your Estate if You Own Property Abroad?

The principal aim of the EU Succession Regulations (EU 650/2012) (also known as Brussels IV) was to unify succession laws across EU member states. Brussels IV has been in place since 17 August 2015. Whilst the UK (and Ireland and Denmark) opted out of this legislation, it’s still relevant to any UK resident individuals who […]

Continued Delays in Probate Applications

Despite announcing that they issued 960 grants in a single day in May, the new online probate application process, introduced by the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) in March 2019, continues to wreak havoc. Historically, the application process took between two to six weeks. But teething problems with the new software have meant the […]

Implications of Serious Probate Registry Delays

In early 2019, the government launched a new £1 billion online probate service designed to simplify the process and ease the burden on grieving families. However, the system has experienced significant problems, leading to serious delays and financial uncertainty for those affected. Reports indicate waits of up to six weeks just to receive an IHT421 […]

Brexit delays implementation of so-called ‘stealth tax’

Back in December 2018 we wrote a short short article about the Government’s controversial plans to increase probate fees this year. The reforms, expected to raise over £155million for the Treasury, were due to come into effect on 1 April 2019. Now it seems, they’ve been put on hold due to lack of parliamentary time. […]

Can I bring an Inheritance Act claim out of time?

Dealing with Wills and inheritance, especially knowing how and when to bring a claim against an estate, can be complicated. Circumstances and relationships change over time. Legal documentation may not reflect the situation as it really is when a person you are close to dies. Pursuing claims against someone’s estate The Inheritance (Provision for Family […]

Choosing the right person be your Power of Attorney

Granting Power of Attorney to the right person is the best way to protect your legacy and assets. But this is an important appointment which gives authority to another person to act on your behalf. So choosing the right person to become your Attorney or agent, is crucial. Naturally, making the decision can play on […]

WARNING – 14 Year Inheritance Tax Trap

Can gifts still be subject to Inheritance Tax 14 years later? Many will be familiar with the seven-year rule relating to gifts for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes. Assuming you survive for seven years from the date of making the gift, this gift can be excluded from your estate after you die. However, there is also […]

What is the difference between a Lasting Power of Attorney and a Deputy?

It’s easy to get confused about the difference between a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and a Deputy. Both are legal appointments that allow someone to manage the affairs of a person who lacks mental capacity. We’re all living longer, increasing the likelihood of losing mental capacity and the ability to manage our affairs. Therefore, […]

A New Year. Time to make a new Will.

Thinking about a new Will? Many consider making changes at the start of a new year, planning for a better future. Yet, surprisingly, few have taken this crucial step to protect themselves and their families. Be Prepared Over half of UK adults don’t have a Will, leaving over 30 million unprepared for death—whether unexpected or […]

Probate fee hike unlawful?

Changes to Probate Fees Starting in April 2019, the government plans to increase probate fees based on estate value. Despite widespread criticism, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed these controversial changes in November. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Joint Select Committee on Statutory Instruments have criticised the MoJ, […]

Statutory Wills – what are they for?

Statutory Wills offer robust protection for vulnerable people, protecting them from potential contentious claims after they die. When someone who has not made a Will loses mental capacity, it is possible to apply to the Court to make a Statutory Will. Establishing what will happen to their home and valuables, including money, when they haven’t been […]

Free Wills. Read the small print – it can cost thousands if you don’t!

Free wills. Too good to be true? Offering to prepare wills for free, or for a small fee. It’s common practice. The deals sound harmless enough. Until you look at the small print. Take High Street banks as a case in point. According to latest news reports, it’s estimated over 1.5m wills have been written […]

My father left a will – do I need to apply for probate?

It’s a misnomer that Probate is not needed when someone has left a will. If the Estate is valued above the Probate threshold and the assets were held in the deceased person’s sole name, then Probate will be needed. Where do I start? 1. By finding the will. There is no legal obligation to register […]

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