When someone passes away, their estate is usually administered in accordance with their Will or, when there is no Will, the rules of intestacy. However, disputes can arise, particularly in circumstances where family relationships are complex, expectations differ, and emotions are understandably heightened following a [...]
Blended families are increasingly common, and with them come unique challenges when it comes to estate planning. Relationships may be more complex, and the way assets are shared often requires careful thought. Drafting a Will within a blended family context, therefore, calls for a delicate [...]
When it comes to inheritance, there may be financial opportunity, but emotions can run high, and the process can soon become confusing. Whether you're receiving a family home, bank accounts, investments, or personal belongings, it’s essential to understand the legal, tax, and financial implications. To [...]
Imagine a person passes away, leaving behind their home, but no spouse, children or relatives to claim it. Who does it then belong to? It’s a question perhaps people don’t often think about until it directly affects them. The answer lies in a specific legal [...]
Planning for the future is essential to ensure that your affairs are managed according to your wishes, both during your lifetime and after your passing. Key components of this planning include creating a Will, having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, understanding the [...]
During the uncertainty of the COVID-19 Lockdown, many individuals chose to use this time to get their affairs in order. Unfortunately, this has led to legal issues surrounding the validity of these Wills, specifically, the signing and witnessing process. A recent article published in Today’s [...]
In addition to physical assets, nearly all of us now have some kind of digital footprint. This usually includes email or social media accounts, retail subscriptions, photographs or music stored on electronic devices, but may extend to digital assets with monetary value, such as cryptocurrency [...]
A recent article by Today’s Wills and Probate reported that a recent freedom of information request from HM Courts & Tribunals Service showed that there has been a significant increase in applications to block probate over the last 15 years. Focusing on data collected from [...]
One of the most important steps you can take for later life planning is preparing a Will, and it’s important to get it right the first time. There are several common mistakes that are made that can lead to disputes, confusion, and even invalidate the [...]
We’ve all probably heard a tale or two about predatory marriages, whether through the news or even perhaps someone you know where a vulnerable adult, often elderly or someone suffering from loneliness, isolation or cognitive decline, has been a victim of financial abuse. Typically, the [...]
