Who is allowed to claim against a Will? It can be a shock to find that you have not been included in someone’s Will. You may have expected to inherit from them or you were being supported by them previously. In some situations, you may be able to make a claim if you have been left out of a Will.…
Avoiding difficulties when dealing with beneficiaries after a death An executor or administrator of an estate, has the job of winding up the deceased’s affairs and distributing the estate to their beneficiaries. At a time when emotions tend to be running high, it can often be the case that disagreements arise. We offer some tips on avoiding difficulties when dealing…
Use of Wills to create Trusts increases Wills are increasingly being used to create trusts to benefit loved ones after someone’s death. We take a look at why you might want to leave money in trust and how this is handled. Trusts are set up by executing a trust deed during your lifetime or alternatively by leaving money or other…
Dealing with a business in a will If you are a business owner, then it is particularly important to have a carefully-considered Will in place. Therefore ensuring that your business passes to the right person when the time comes. We look at the considerations of dealing with a business in a Will. Should something happen to you and you have…
Statutory legacy sum raised to £322,000 in 2023 The government has raised the amount a spouse or civil partner can inherit if their partner dies without making a Will. Obviously you should have a will that reflects your current circumstances and wishes. As of 25 July 2023, the statutory legacy sum was raised from £270,000 to £322,000. We take a…
Can you leave a conditional gift in a Will? When you make your Will, you might be tempted to make certain gifts conditional on the beneficiary doing or not doing something. We take a look at whether you can leave a conditional gift in a will. It is open to you to leave your assets to whomever you wish when…
What happens if a Will can’t be found after someone’s death? Locating a Will after someone passes away is not always easy. If you believe that the deceased made a Will, you should do all you can to find it. We offer some tips for locating a missing Will post death as well as advice on what to do if…
What is considered a bloodline Will? With complex family structures now commonplace, a bloodline Will ensures that your estate passes to the next generation. Protecting your wealth from being passed on to others not related to you. We discuss what are bloodline wills. Remarrying or starting a new relationship with someone but already having children from a former relationship, brings…
How to avoid expensive mistakes Following the death of Lisa Marie Presley, her mother Priscilla Presley has filed a lawsuit disputing the validity of her daughter’s Will. This is due to irregularities in the making of an amendment in 2016. We look at how to avoid expensive mistakes when amending a Will. Amending a Will can be tricky and it…
What is a Letter of Wishes and what does it contain? A letter of wishes is a document that can be put in place alongside your Will. This gives guidance to your executors, your loved ones and your trustees, if you appoint any. It is not legally binding, but it can be very useful to let people know what you…
