General

Did you realise that the manner in which you divide ownership of jointly held property has a significant impact on your Will? In the event that this is not recorded accurately, your chosen beneficiaries may be disinherited. The recent case Dunbabin & Ors v. Dunbabin provides an explanation. A Costly Error Michael, Timothy, Simon, and

If a person lacks mental capacity and has not previously executed a power of attorney, it is likely that they will require the assistance of a deputy to manage their financial affairs and, in limited circumstances, to make health and welfare decisions. Because they play such an important role, it is critical that the person

Many of us consider our home to be our most valuable asset and the most important factor to consider when planning what we want to happen and who we want to look after if we die. However, if you have been contributing to a pension for some time, you may have amassed a sizable “pot,”

A frequent misconception is that when a person dies, their debts do too. Others wrongly assume that the deceased’s immediate family will be responsible for paying off any outstanding obligations. In actuality, the deceased person’s estate is responsible for paying off all of their debts as of the date of death. By “estate,” we imply

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

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

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

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

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

One of the most typical myths that clients have regarding paying for residential care is that… “After seven years, our property cannot be used to pay for residential care if we turn it over to our children.” A potentially exempt transfer, or outright gift, of any amount is permissible (PET). The value of the PET

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) appoints an attorney to assist the donor (person making the LPA) with their property and financial affairs, as well as their health and welfare. The attorney will make decisions on behalf of the donor, either after mental capacity has been lost or with the donor’s consent while they still

Careful inheritance tax (IHT) planning is crucial if you plan to leave money, property, or other assets to loved ones after you die. Your heirs may have to pay up to 40% in taxes on what they receive from you because the IHT rate is currently 40%. The best way to make sure that your

Aside from the heartbreak and worry that a life-limiting illness diagnosis can bring, there will be a slew of concerns and uncertainties about your care and financial affairs, and it can be difficult to know exactly how to prepare legally.  Health and welfare lasting power of attorney  You can make a Lasting Power of Attorney

After a loved one dies, it can be difficult to understand what steps need taken and how best go about taking them. The following blog post will answer some common questions associated with handling an individual’s estate after they’ve passed on including: What is probate and do I need it? What is estate administration? Are