Why Wills are important for parents If you have children, it is always recommended that you have an up-to-date, valid Will in place. We take a look at some of the main reasons why Wills are important for parents. The main reason for making a Will is to ensure you pass on your wealth to your choice of beneficiary. However,…
Document handwritten by Aretha Franklin is ruled valid Will A court ruled that a handwritten document found in Aretha Franklin’s sofa is a valid Will. Three of her four sons had been involved in an inheritance dispute following her death. Resulting in a court hearing to decide the validity of two handwritten documents. Sometime after Aretha Franklin’s death in 2018,…
How long does it take to administer a Will? If you are dealing with the estate of someone who has died, you may be wondering how long it will take to wind up their affairs. Many people ask ‘How long does it take to administer a Will?’ so we take a look at the process and how long each stage…
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…
Unexpected reasons causing an invalid Will A Will is crucial in ensuring your loved ones will be cared for in the future in the way that you want. However, it is easy to make an error in making or signing and witnessing a Will, meaning it could be invalid. We take a look at the unexpected reasons that could cause…
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…
Can a Will be changed after death? Yes, a will can be changed after death. You can even vary intestacy, where the deceased failed to make a Will, and the law takes over. Although this rarely provides the outcome the deceased would have wanted. We look at what to do if you inherit money from someone’s estate but would rather…
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…
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…
