Over recent years, there has been an increase in deathbed marriages as cohabiting couples realise late in the day the potential financial disadvantages of not being married. In 1996 1.5 million couples were cohabiting. This figure has more than doubled in the years since, with deathbed marriages also increasing. To have a deathbed
Deathbed marriages and the increase in cohabiting couples Read More »
When someone dies, their representative has the job of winding up their estate and finalising their affairs. If they have left a Will, then their representative is known as the executor of their Will. If there is no Will, then the job is undertaken by their administrator, appointed in accordance with the Rules of
How long does an executor have to wind up an estate? Read More »
When someone dies without leaving a Will, their estate is distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy (the Rules). The Rules state that the first £270,000 in the estate passes to any spouse or civil partner of the deceased. For this reason, it is important to accurately value an intestate estate so that those
Valuing an intestate estate Read More »
As unwanted Christmas gifts languish in the corner, research reveals the huge investment power of a small pot of money given to children and invested for later life. Opinium Research on behalf of St James’s Place asked parents of under-18s how much would be spent on Christmas presents for their children. The average sum
Clever gifts for children for a secure future Read More »
When you make a Will, you should appoint one or more executors to deal with the administration of your estate after your death. You can either choose a trusted relative or friend or appoint a professional. An executor is responsible for the winding-up of someone’s affairs after they die. This can be a
Should you appoint a professional executor or a private individual? Read More »
After someone’s death, the executor named in their Will is responsible for winding up their estate. If the executor dies, either before or during the estate administration, there is a process which must be gone through to find and appoint another executor. The executor of an estate has the onerous task of collecting in
What happens in estate administration if an executor has died? Read More »
Following someone’s death, their personal representative will wind up the estate, then prepare estate accounts. These accounts will include details of all the assets and liabilities in the estate. When you make a Will, you will appoint someone to act as your executor. They will be responsible for collecting in all of the assets
What are estate accounts? Read More »
Grandparents often play a beneficial role in their grandchildren’s lives. However, if the relationship between a grandparent and their children breaks down, it can mean that they may lose out on seeing their grandchildren. Grandparents do not have an automatic legal right to have contact with their grandchildren and cannot apply for parental responsibility.
Do grandparents have a legal right to see their grandchildren? Read More »
A Lasting Power of Attorney, or LPA, allows a trusted family member or friend to manage your affairs for you, in the event that you become unable to manage them yourself. Having an LPA is usually considered a big advantage. If you should become incapacitated, your attorney will be able to step in and
Are there disadvantages in having an LPA? Read More »
As the problems of the pandemic continue, there has been a huge rise in the number of people searching online for instructions on writing their own Will. With difficulties in visiting solicitors’ offices, it can be tempting to have a go at writing a Will yourself. However, it is far more complex than most
Increase in DIY Wills a cause for concern Read More »