If you want to leave a gift or a portion of your estate to someone under the age of 18, keep the following points in mind. If the child is under the age of 18, they are considered a minor in law and, as such, are not considered to have the necessary capacity to accept […]
What Happens If Your Will’s Beneficiary Is Under 18 Read More »
Dealing with a loved one’s estate after they pass away can be difficult. It’s not too complicated to do this, but you’ll probably need a grant of probate before you can take care of their money and property. The process of selling an inherited property can be fraught with difficulties. If you want to sell
Do I Need Probate To Sell A House? Read More »
A deathbed gift is a transfer of property and assets made by a person at the time of death that bypasses the provisions of a Will or the laws of intestacy. The principle has been around since Roman times, and the recent verdict in Davey v. Bailey [2021] shows how the principle has been applied
What are deathbed gifts and how do they work? Read More »
A trust is a legal arrangement in which one person or group of people holds and manages assets for another person or group of people. A trust will have a beneficiary or beneficiaries, who are the person(s) for whom the trust was established. In this blog post, we answer the question, “What is an estate
What is a “Trust” in Estate Planning? Read More »
When we visit clients, one of the most common questions we hear is, “Who should be the executor of my estate?” It’s a critical question that everyone should consider when putting together their Will. Being an executor can be difficult at times, so choosing the right person or people will ensure that there are no
What are an Executor’s roles and responsibilities? Read More »
Only 60% of us have a Will, so you’re already ahead of the game by already having one written. However, how long ago was it written? Can you recall what it contained? Has anything substantial changed since you created it? It is a common misconception that a Will is a one-time document that is stored
When should you review your Will? Read More »
There is a common reluctance among loved ones to broach the subjects of death and finances. No one wants to talk about a future where they or their loved ones may no longer be here, therefore the subject is avoided. It can be awkward to bring up the subject of your estate plan, i.e. death
How To Discuss Your Estate Plan With Relatives Read More »
The practise of making a will and/or planning one’s inheritance dates back at least to the Greeks and Romans. The urge to leave something to one’s offspring after one’s death is ingrained in the human psyche. To this end, people have been making wills and trusts for as long as there have been people in
Why Use Estate Planners To Write A Will? Read More »
I recently became a father for the second time, to a mischievous pair of Labradoodle puppies who enjoy chewing, playing, and cuddling (but not necessarily in that order!). Any pet owner will tell you that a small bundle of fur or feathers quickly becomes a member of the family. (In our case, about 1 minute
Providing For Your Pets In Your Will Read More »
October is National Free Wills Month, with solicitors and will writers across the UK offering free basic wills to those aged 55 and up. During Free Wills Month, participating solicitors will write or update a simple will at no cost. The goal is that by writing a will during Free Wills Month, you will be
Free Wills: Good Value Or False Economy? Read More »
The term “estate” is used to refer to a deceased person’s complete collection of assets. Some of the most typical components of an individual’s estate are: Their Money: This includes cash and funds in their bank or building society account. It could also include money paid out from their life insurance policy. Money Owed: This
How To Deal With The Financial Affairs Of Someone Who Has Died Read More »
If you have accumulated a sizeable portfolio of assets and investments that needs to be regularly managed, a lasting power of attorney for finances is an essential aspect of your lifetime legal planning. It is important to establish this legal power long in advance of any time it might be needed, yet it can be
Managing Financial Affairs Under A Lasting Power Of Attorney Read More »
It is never too early to start thinking about making plans for your family’s future. It makes no difference how large your estate is; everyone should have a Will in place. However, Estate Planning entails more than just making a Will, as you may wish to consider trusts, asset gifting, and Power of Attorney. If
Who should be involved in Estate Planning? Read More »
There is no law dictating where a Will should be kept. It is entirely up to you what you want to do about storing your Will, but here are some things to consider when making this decision. Wherever you choose to store your Will, it should be somewhere that is protected from: Flood Fire Theft
What is the ideal location to store a will? Read More »
We all know that maintaining your affairs is not fun, but it is necessary, therefore if you have previously created a will, you are already one step ahead of the game. Every time your circumstances change, you should reevaluate the provisions in your will. For instance, you should see a lawyer if you get married,
When should you update a Will? Read More »
