26/11/20
Many people are confused by trusts and think that trusts are just for the very wealthy. In reality, trusts can be a very useful way of providing for your family and protecting assets. What is a Trust? A trust is any arrangement whereby someone (the Settlor) gives money or assets (the Trust…
25/09/20
Dementia Friends is an Alzheimer's Society initiative which encourages everyone to learn more about dementia and to turn that understanding into action. Actions can be both big and small and are all very important. The initiative hopes to change people's perceptions of dementia and the way…
19/08/20
The Covid-19 pandemic has prompted many people to review their situation and to make sure that their personal affairs are in order. If you want to give yourself a personal legal "health check" what should you be looking for? Will One of the most important documents that you can put…
30/07/20
The government is introducing temporary legislation in September to allow the witnessing of Wills in England and Wales by video conferencing software such as Facetime, Zoom and Skype. Any Will witnessed by video technology will be valid, on the proviso that the quality of the sound and video was…
20/05/20
There has long been a 100% Inheritance tax (IHT) exemption for members of the armed forces who died in active service. In 2015 it was extended to cover "blue light" emergency services personnel responding to emergency situations. The IHT exemption has now been extended to most NHS and many…
28/04/20
When a loved-one dies, it can feel like an overwhelming task to begin to put their affairs in order and to deal with the long list of administrative tasks that need to be completed. There will of course be the initial tasks of registering the death and arranging the funeral, but what happens next…
25/03/20
In light of such uncertain circumstances during this lockdown phase, naturally people are considering what would happen to their assets if the inevitable happens. Will drafters are facing unprecedented times; drafters are being overrun with requests for new Wills and updates to existing Wills. We are…
17/02/20
The UK Government has increased the amount which a surviving spouse or civil partner is entitled to receive where a person dies intestate (without a valid will). The statutory legacy was £250,000; from the 6th February this was increased to £270,000. If someone dies intestate, the rules…
05/02/20
A bill has been submitted, by Lord Lexden of the Conservative Party, to the House of Lords which proposes amendments to the Inheritance Tax Act 1984. If the bill is successful, it will allow (in certain circumstances) for property to be transferred between siblings without attracting Inheritance Tax (…
