Estate Planning and Changing Family Structures
Extracted from an article by Fraser and Fraser in ‘Today’s Wills & Probate’, Dated Feb 22, 2022 In the past couple years, figures released by the ONS indicate the structures of UK families and households are continually changing shape. 30 years ago, a “traditional” family was the norm, with this family structure considered to be a […]
UK private members’ Bill would open up deceased’s records to family
A private members’ Bill to give a deceased or incapacitated person’s family immediate access to their digital data, without having to take legal action against digital platforms, has been introduced to the UK parliament. The Digital Devices (Access for Next of Kin) Bill was introduced on 18 January by Democratic Unionist Party MP Ian Paisley […]
Probate delays continue
Probate delays continue to wreak financial havoc on grieving families as further stories surface in the press. Speaking to the Guardian, a distressed and frustrated reader recently described how probate delays had incurred huge financial costs to their family. “My uncle died 11 months ago, and my mother also died, leaving my brother and myself […]
Protecting your Business with a Lasting Power of Attorney
As a business owner, you know that the continuity of your business is one of the key elements in your business plan. Few owners realise, however, that if they are unable to manage their financial affairs (including business matters), due to a physical or mental incapacity, there is no-one with legal authority to manage them […]
Digitisation in legal probate – will it stick?
Sound technology has been a pillar of success for many modern-day businesses across the last few decades, yet the legal sector has been renowned for somewhat lagging behind, until COVID-19 forced firms to adapt. It’s fair to say that all law firms, to some extent, have upped their tech usage across the past two years […]
WILL WRITING. Make sure that you chose charities that exist or your Executors could be left with a headache!
A recent case in Scotland has once again highlighted how important it is to make sure that you draft your Will carefully. A woman who died leaving a substantial legacy to a non-existent charity in South Africa has left her executor with a problem, after the Scottish Court of Session declined to give a direction […]
All about the Lasting Power of Attorney
An LPA, or Lasting Power of Attorney, is a powerful legal document allowing you to appoint one or more people (an Attorney) to make decisions on your behalf should the time come that you’re unable to do so. It’s an essential step to ensure your wishes are carried out if you should lose capacity. Lacking […]
Are traditional Wills dying out?
Historically, traditional Wills prepared by Solicitors were the most popular method for people to document their wishes for how their assets would be distributed following their death. However, there are alternative options available now to the public, ranging from professional Will writers, Charities, Banks, online Wills, Will template kits from stationers and increasingly DIY Wills. […]
What are the financial benefits of getting married? From inheritance tax to pensions and bereavement support
It’s not the most romantic reason for a proposal, but there are many financial and practical reasons why it can make sense to be joined together by law Thousands of weddings and civil partnerships were delayed last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, as the various lockdowns placed severe restrictions on ceremonies. Meanwhile people’s plans for […]
Man mistakenly throws away digital assets worth over £200m
A story which highlights the importance of recording digital assets sees a man mistakenly throw away his hard drive in 2013 with Bitcoin now worth more than £210 million. In a bid to recover the fortune, James Howells from Newport has appealed to the council for permission to search the city’s landfill site. The 35-year-old […]