Comprehensive Executor & Inheritance Insurance – How Solicitors Can Help Avoid Negligence Claims
Leading Barrister, Elis Gomer of St Johns Buildings has provided an Opinion on DAUL Asset’s foremost Executor and Inheritance Comprehensive Insurance policy. This single premium policy provides cover for the personal representatives dealing with estate administration, as well as the entitled beneficiaries, on the basis the accompanying statements of fact can be met. Cover is […]
Legal Service Providers Failing Disabled Consumers
Over a third of disabled people with a named legal issue over the past four years refused to utilise professional help. New research suggests that solicitors and law firms need to do more to ensure disabled consumers access legal services. A Solicitors Regulation Survey found over half of more than 3,500 disabled consumers believe accessing […]
Woman Convicted Of Fraud After Inadvertently Claiming Benefits Following Inheritance Windfall
A woman in Norfolk has been convicted of fraud after failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of the inheritance she received whilst claiming benefits. People work hard throughout their lives to accumulate assets and wealth to hopefully pass on their wealth through inheritance after they die. Whilst this gift is offered with […]
Quarter Of Retirees Exclude Family Beneficiaries In Wills
Over a quarter (28%) of pensioners plan to leave their estate to beneficiaries other than close family members. Those young people who are increasingly reliant on inheritance and gifts to buy property may well be disappointed in this revelation. There are multiple reasons why retirees shun family beneficiaries, one of which is estrangement, but the […]
Wright Hassall Announce New Appointment
Jordan Hamilton-Cox has joined, Midlands law firm Wright Hassall as a Trust and Tax Executive. Mr Hamilton-Cox joins Wright Hassall from Baldwins Accountants. Previously, he has also worked for HM Revenue & Customs for four years. His appointment to the role of Trust and Tax Executive comes as the firm deals with an increasing number of […]
Bray & Bray Celebrate STEP Success
Bray & Bray, an East Midlands based law firm, have been celebrating success recently, as they now have a full house of Society of Trust and Estate Practioners (STEP) accredited solicitors. Wills, trust and probate specialists Russell Dalby, Carly Harwood and Philip Baldwin join Andrew Hitchon, Natalie Aldrich and Isobel Mann as full members of STEP, the […]
IASME Consortium To Be New Cyber Essentials Partner
It has been announced the IASME will take over the full responsibility for Cyber Essentials delivery from 1st April 2020. This announcement has come on the back of the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) conducting an extensive consultation process and making changes to improve the scheme. Having a clearer, more consistent path for customers to […]
Used By The Best In Class In Private Client
As we approach another key event in the legal awards calendar, we are delighted to announce that 83.3% of the nominees for The Law Society’s ‘Excellence Award in Private Client Practice’ 2019, that are taking place next week, are users of Certainty the National Will Register. This follows the nominee announcement in August for the […]
Only 6% of Law Firms Are Protected Against Email Spoofing
Law firms are failing in their efforts to tackle the rising risk of cyber crime. Even with £millions continuing to be fraudulently redirected, with the associated reputational impact and knock on effect on professional indemnity insurance premiums, most law firms have not implemented even the most basic cyber security measures. The research has been undertaken […]
HMCTS Stakeholder Audit Reveals Inconsistent Communications
A recent independent stakeholder audit into HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) £1 billion UK Courts and Tribunals Reform Programme reveals some concerning findings. Recent reports by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted a need for HMCTS to improve their stakeholder engagement. Following the report recommendations HMCTS responded by […]
Night Of Celebration At The British Wills and Probate Awards
Last night, Thursday 17th October 2019, saw the cream of the crop in the Wills and Probate sector come together and celebrate the efforts of all practitioners in this area. The sold-out event, held at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham, was hosted by ex-Royal Correspondent Jennie Bond, who kept proceedings moving during the […]
Clean Will Banks 8 Times More Profitable Claims Law Firm Heavyweight
Attendees stayed attentive throughout Today’s Wills and Probate’s inaugural Seminar looking at Preparing for Future Success at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham. It was held on the 5th anniversary of the publication and attracted over 55 attendees. Colum Smith, co-founder of McMillan Williams, opened the seminar with a look at preparing a Will […]
Let’s Talk About Legacy Giving…With Guest Speaker Lucinda Darby!
Charity isn’t a dirty word when talking Wills The public believes that legal advisors should provide information about leaving money to charity when providing Will-writing services and relevant guidance, and yet many advisors appear more comfortable talking death and taxes than they are about legacy giving. In this month’s webinar, Lucinda Darby, Marketing Manager at […]
Two Thirds of Retirees Plan Not To Move
Estimates from research conducted by Canada Life have suggested that an increasing amount of people will look to raise income by releasing equity from their homes and nearly 14 million plan to keep their current property rather than downsize. With an increase of 5% since research conducted in 2016, over two third of adults say […]
Guidance on VAT Disbursements
The Law Society has issued guidance around VAT treatment of disbursements and expenses following on from a decision made of the First-tier Tax Tribunal in Brabners LLP v The Commissioners for her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) (2017 UKFTT 0666) . Brabners LLP were treating the cost of property searches as disbursements and as a result were not […]
HMCTS Experience Record Weeks Over Grants Being Issued
There is an end in sight over probate delays as this month’s HMCTS meeting confirmed record high numbers of grants being issued. Ian Bond, Chair of The Law Society’s ‘Wills and Equity Committee’ met with HMCTS and representatives from Solicitors for the Elderly and Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners at the new central courts service building in Birmingham (CTCS). The meeting […]
New Research Sheds Light On Potential Improvements To Supported Will-Making
In April 2019, the Law Commission welcomed new research on the potential for reform to Will making for individuals with intellectual disability. The study, entitled, Supported Will-Making: A Socio-Legal Study of Experiences, Values, and Potential in Supporting Testamentary Capacity (the report) authored by Professor Rosie Harding, Dr Ezgi Taşcıoğlu, and Magdalena Furgalska, looked at the […]
The Saga Is Over: Justice Secretary Withdraws Probate Fees Order
The saga of the Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2018 has finally drawn to a close after the Justice Secretary announced the immediate withdrawal of the proposals at the weekend. The Order would have introduced probate fees on a sliding scale up to £6,000 depending on the value of the estate, replacing the current flat fee […]
Will Writers Membership Body Supports Exclusive Industry Awards
The Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW) is excited to be a part of the second upcoming prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards, which is brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. A membership body for Will Writers in Great […]
Two Days Until The British Wills and Probate Awards Ceremony!
Thursday 17th October is the prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards 2019, brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor, Arken.legal (UK) Ltd, a leader in software solutions for the legal services. The sold-out event, which takes place at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham, will crown the very best individuals […]
