4th July, 2022
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
If someone has lost the capacity to deal with their own affairs, in certain circumstances it is possible to apply to the Court of Protection so that a statutory Will can be made on their behalf. When an individual has not made a Will or their Will needs updating, a statutory Will enables their estate […]
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 […]
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 […]