27/11/17
A recent case has highlighted the uncertainty surrounding deathbed gifts, and the importance of seeking legal advice if you or a loved one are considering making a deathbed gift. A deathbed gift is a gift made in contemplation of death, conditional on death. While in some instances these gifts may be…
31/10/17
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), is an organisation devoted to improving public understanding of the issues families face in relation to inheritance and succession planning. Promoting education and high professional standards among all of its members is vital to STEP. A number…
22/08/17
Last week, a retired senior Court of Protection Judge, Denzil Lush commented that Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) leave vulnerable elderly people open to financial abuse.LPAs are important legal documents, which allow a person to appoint someone (or more than one person) to make decisions on their…
11/07/17
Latest reports show that HMRC collected over £5.1bn in inheritance tax over the last year, which is the first time in history this figure has exceeded the £5bn mark. So why the increase? One of the main reasons can be put down to the fact that property prices, particularly in the South of…
19/05/17
Ahead of the general election in June, Teresa May has announced the Conservative manifesto which plans to introduce some new measures in respect of paying for care both at home and in a care home. Under the current system, if an individual has more than £23,250 in assets, including the value of…
27/04/17
Following the introduction of the new Residence Nil Rate Band in April, it is now an ideal time to review your current will and ensure that it not only meets your current needs but is also tax efficient. Many people, particularly married couples, still have wills in place leaving a gift of the Nil…
09/03/17
Despite strong opposition from the legal profession, including bodies such as Solicitors for the Elderly and STEP, the government has announced that from May probate fees will increase significantly. Currently, when making an application for a Grant of Probate via a solicitor, the Probate Registry…
02/03/17
Unfortunately in any profession or trade, there any companies and tradesman who are out to rip people off and the legal market is no exception. In my field of expertise namely wills, estate planning and probate, there are many companies out there who offer either very heavily discounted fees often with…
