With the current Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) system over thirty years old, the government’s consultation on reforming the process has been welcomed by many who are concerned about protecting those who may lose the capacity to manage their own affairs. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document which allows an individual to
Government urged modernise the Lasting Power of Attorney system Read More »
If you are named as an executor to the estate of someone who has died and they have left a gift to charity, there is a particular process you should follow in dealing with the legacy. Charities rely on money left to them in Wills and where your loved one has included a charity bequest,
How to deal with a charity legacy as a personal representative Read More »
The BBC drama series The Split has recently mentioned the use of an advance directive in the case of an individual with motor neurone disease. An advance directive, also sometimes referred to as a living Will or an advance decision, sets out your wishes for the healthcare you would like in the future, in the
BBC1’s The Split highlights use of Advance Directives Read More »
When you write your Will, you can leave your estate to your choice of beneficiaries, however if someone is persuaded or pressured into leaving their money to a certain individual, a Will could be challenged in the courts. There are a number of grounds on which a Will can be contested, including where undue influence
Wills and undue influence explained Read More »
A Will is crucial in making sure that an estate passes to the right people after someone dies. But sometimes it can be hard to locate a Will. We take a look at what to do when a Will can’t easily be found. After a death, those who believe that they are the deceased’s executors
How do I find a lost Will? Read More »
A Lasting Power of Attorney authorises a trusted friend or relative to make decisions on someone’s behalf, should they lose the capacity to do this themselves. If an individual is diagnosed with dementia, it is highly recommended that they sign a Lasting Power of Attorney if they are able to do so. A Lasting Power
Dementia and Lasting Powers of Attorney Read More »
Research done on behalf of Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) has found that almost half of UK adults who have a Will have not updated it for more than five years. SFE is a national association of independent lawyers who specialise in legal matters for the elderly and vulnerable. They understand the difficulties that can
Half of Wills in the UK are out of date Read More »
When you write your Will, you may be wondering whether it will remain a private document or whether it is ever likely to become public knowledge. We take a look at the issues surrounding publication of Wills. After the death of Prince Philip, the High Court gave permission for his Will to be sealed, so
Is a Will a private document? Read More »
If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you need to check whether any of the beneficiaries have been declared bankrupt. If you mistakenly distribute part of the estate to a bankrupt beneficiary, the trustee in bankruptcy could bring a claim against you to recover any money that they were not
What happens if a beneficiary is bankrupt? Read More »
For those dealing with someone’s estate after their death, the Inheritance Tax bill can come as a nasty shock. It needs to be paid before a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration are applied for, which can sometimes create difficulties. The current Inheritance Tax threshold is £325,000, meaning that where more than this sum
How do I deal with an Inheritance Tax bill? Read More »