It is a common misconception that people think they do not need to make a Will because they do not have anything of ‘significant value’ to leave to family and friends. However, with the modern world and technology constantly evolving, most people now have some form of digital assets which are equally as important to…
Among the Private Client team, clients often ask us whether putting their home into the names of their adult children would be a good idea. This is usually due to concerns about the costs of care as they become elderly, or perhaps fears that their home would have to be sold to pay Inheritance Tax…
If you have lost someone close to you during this pandemic then, like me, you may find it particularly difficult hearing the statistics on the news about the number of deaths from COVID-19 and the number of new cases. To us, it has nothing to do with numbers, and everything to do with losing that…
Many people choose to include simple funeral wishes within their Will. If you have detailed wishes, we recommend that you write a Letter of Instruction to cover the type and detail of the service that you would want. Some people also list the hymns and/or music to be played. In a Will, funeral instructions are…
Will writers have been defined as ‘key workers’ during this pandemic. We are doing our utmost to help our clients and there is much we can do to assist you during this challenging period, so please get in touch with us if you have any queries or concerns at all. We can provide telephone consultations,…
As we continue through these uncertain times many people have started to think about their future and getting their affairs in order, so much so that new instructions for Wills have apparently risen by 30%! However, Coronavirus places some obstacles in the process of completing a new will. The Will Act 1837 states that in…
This article deals with those who act in a representative capacity for a house owner, as their attorney or deputy. Selling under a Power of Attorney It is important to be aware of the extent of your powers, which will be defined by the type of Power of Attorney you have, and any specific directions…
The programme is based on the work of probate detectives trying to find an eligible relative for a surprise inheritance. So why did 55,000 estates last year pass to the Bona Vacantia Division of the Government? Simply because the deceased failed to make a Will and did not leave any eligible relatives. If you do…
We are often asked by clients “do I need a Will?” or “does my (loved one) need a Will?” and when answering this question there are several factors to consider. It is also important not simply to see a Will as something you might need but, in fact, something you might want! Firstly, it is…
If you are widowed and your spouse/civil partner was an ISA saver then did you know that you benefit from the right to retain their ISA wrapper? Under the previous system, when someone died, any savings held in an ISA automatically lost their tax-free status, and the tax benefits were lost forever. This meant that…
