If you are the executor or administrator of an estate, you will have the job of winding up the deceased’s affairs and distributing the estate to their beneficiaries. At a time when emotions tend to be running high, it can often be the case that disagreements arise. We offer some tips on avoiding difficulties and
Avoiding difficulties when dealing with beneficiaries after a death Read More »
If you have made a Will, you can also consider writing a letter of wishes to accompany it. We look at the purpose of a letter of wishes and why it can be beneficial. A letter of wishes is a non-binding document that you can leave with your Will. You can use it to set
Letters of Wishes explained Read More »
Wills are increasingly being used to create trusts to benefit loved ones after someone’s death. We take a look at why you might want to leave money in trust and how this is handled. Trusts can be set up by executing a trust deed during your lifetime or alternatively by leaving money or other assets
Increasing use of Wills to create trusts Read More »
The Resolution Foundation, an independent think tank established to improve the standard of living of low-to-middle-income families has called on the government to move to a new structure for charging Inheritance Tax. The organisation suggests lower rates for estates worth up to £1.5 million. We take a look at the current rates of Inheritance Tax
Prominent think tank calls for Inheritance Tax reforms Read More »
The government has raised the amount a spouse or civil partner can inherit if their partner dies without making a Will. As of 25 July 2023, the statutory legacy figure has increased from £270,000 to £322,000. We take a look at what this means and how the government arrived at the new sum. What happens
Statutory legacy sum raised to £322,000 Read More »
After a death, family members sometimes decide to deal with probate and estate administration themselves. We take a look at the potential risks and why it can be an advantage to ask a professional to take on the job. When someone dies their executor or, if they did not leave a Will, their administrator will
Should I take on estate administration myself? Read More »
There are many misconceptions about what happens if someone dies intestate, ie. without a valid Will. This can cause difficulties for a family after a death and may mean that loved ones miss out on their inheritance. We take a look at some of the most common misconceptions and what actually happens when someone dies
Common misconceptions about intestacy Read More »
Locating a Will after someone has died is not always easy. If you believe that the deceased made a Will, you should do all you can to find it. We offer some tips for locating a Will as well as advice on what to do if you are unable to do so. The deceased’s papers
What if a Will can’t be found after someone’s death? Read More »
A health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that gives someone the authority to manage your personal affairs, should you ever become unable to do this yourself. We take a look at the decisions you will need to make when you have an LPA drawn up. There are two types
Decisions you need to make when you sign a health and welfare Lasting Power of Attorney Read More »
Estate executors need to be aware of the risk of personal liability when dealing with estate administration. Placing statutory advertisements is one way of reducing the risk. We take a look at what they are and when it might be advisable to use them. When dealing with the winding up of someone’s affairs after their
What is a Statutory advertisement? Read More »