NEWS
Record number of inheritance disputes reaching the High Court
A record number of inheritance disputes are reaching the High Court despite rising court costs and the risk involved with losing a case. The number of cases brought to the High Court under the Inheritance Act in 2005 was 15, compared to 116 cases in 2015. But this is only [...]
Save your family the worry with a Lasting Power of Attorney…
Anyone can be struck by illness or an accident, which leaves them incapacitated, at any time in their life, which is why lasting power of attorney (LPA) isn’t just for the elderly. By planning ahead, you can save your loved ones a lot of anguish. An LPA is a legal [...]
Dying is an expensive business but a professional executor could cost you dearly.
If you have a will naming a solicitor, accountant, your bank or another professional as an executor, your estate could end up with a huge bill that you never anticipated, and this means that your beneficiaries, most likely your loved ones, will end up out of pocket. There is an [...]
Keeping your Will safe – Why is it important?
We all take care of things that we treasure; we keep our money in the bank and jewels or other valuables in a safe or strongbox - so if you think about it, it makes perfect sense to store your Will in a secure and safe location as well. Your [...]
Changes to Inheritance Tax – Does your Will need to be updated?
On 6 April 2017, the residential nil-rate band (RNRB) came into force. This new tax allowance could potentially enable couples who own their home to pass up to £1 million to their direct family free of Inheritance Tax (IHT) when they die. This additional allowance is being phased in gradually, [...]
Baby boomers unaware of the consequences of dying without a will.
Startling figures have revealed the attitudes of the over 55 age group towards writing a Will. The figures indicate a widespread ignorance of the importance of writing a Will and the risks of dying intestate. Out of those who have not written a Will: • 12% have children in their [...]
Why you should consider creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)
Whilst many of us understand the benefits of having a Will, you may be less familiar with a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) which appoints someone to help you make your own decisions or make decisions on your behalf. This is a legal document which names an attorney who is [...]
Protecting your children’s inheritance
Most parents making wills eventually leave their estate to their children. This might not always be such a good idea. In most cases if an adult child inherits money it is theirs straight away. If at the time of the inheritance that person is involved in a matrimonial dispute or [...]
“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”
This is a quote that is as true today as it was when Benjamin Franklin wrote it as long ago as 1789. In April this year some of us will get a new tax allowance in the form of the first stage of government's Residential Nil Rate Band. From that [...]
New Year, new Will? Why now is a great time to review your Will
2016 will long be remembered as a year which saw a number of historically significant events take place, many of which will have long lasting implications both at home and abroad. There may also have been changes to your life which could immediately impact on the validity of your Will [...]