A Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA appoints someone to act for an individual in the event that they lose the mental capacity to deal with their own affairs. We take a look at what action is possible if you have concerns over an LPA or the behaviour of an attorney. Anyone can make a
Can you challenge a Lasting Power of Attorney? Read More »
Charitable legacy analyst Smee & Ford has revealed figures from its annual Legacy Trends report showing that more gifts were left to charities in Wills in England and Wales in 2022 than ever before. Out of 231,582 estates that were processed where a Will had been made, 36,992 estates left a gift to charity. Smee
Highest ever number of bequests to charities in 2022 Read More »
Following the death of Lisa Marie Presley, her mother Priscilla Presley has filed a lawsuit disputing the validity of her daughter’s Will due to irregularities in the making of an amendment in 2016. Amending a Will can be tricky and it is important to discuss any changes you wish to make with a solicitor. If
How to avoid expensive mistakes if your Will needs amending Read More »
If you have a Will, it is usually the case that getting married will make it invalid. The exception is when a Will has specifically been made in contemplation of marriage. Having a valid Will in place means you can pass your estate on to your choice of beneficiaries in the way that you want.
Making a Will in contemplation of marriage Read More »
If someone loses the capacity to make their own decisions, a relative can apply to the Court of Protection for a deputyship order. This will give the relative authority to manage the person’s finances on their behalf. We take a look at the process. The best way of preparing for the future is to put
Court of Protection deputyship explained Read More »
In a recent inheritance claim case, a disabled adult won £195,000 from his late mother’s estate after being left out of her Will. The estate’s executor and beneficiary subsequently lost an appeal, with the appeal court upholding the original decision. Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, certain individuals are entitled to
Inheritance claim win for adult child against parent’s estate Read More »
There are a wide range of situations in which a Will can be invalid. By being aware of what these are, you can make sure that your own Will is sound and that your estate can be passed on to your choice of beneficiaries as you wish when the time comes. If a Will is
What can make a Will invalid? Read More »
After someone’s death, their personal representative will have the task of disposing of their possessions. For some assets, such as a house, it is necessary to obtain a Grant of Probate or, if the person who died did not leave a Will, a Grant of Letters of Administration. We take a look at whether a
Can I sell a car before I have a Grant of Probate? Read More »
When a person dies, probate is the process of administering their estate by organising their assets, money and possessions and then distributing them as per the terms of a will or in line with the rules of intestacy. To be able to start probate, an executor (the person who takes legal responsibility for carrying out
What happens when I apply for probate? Read More »
Research carried out by Barclays Wealth has found that nearly a third of millennials would prefer that their parents spend money on their retirement rather than saving it to pass down by way of inheritance. The study found that 32% of older millennials would rather that cash was spent on a comfortable life in retirement
Millennials will give up inheritance to enable parents to live comfortably Read More »