Fidler & Pepper Discuss Donations, Good Deeds And Innovative Measures
Community Involvement Award winners Fidler and Pepper have taken the time to discuss donations and good deeds during social distancing lockdown. The Wills and probate sector have been unbelievably supportive to communities struggling to adapt to the ‘new normal’ during Covid-19 lockdown measures. Legal practitioners have made myriad innovative workarounds to ensure valid Wills are […]
HMRC Relax IHT Process Amid Lockdown Restrictions
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) announced changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) process last week to ensure service continuity and minimal delays whilst the UK is in lockdown. Firstly, until restrictions are lifted HMRC will no longer accept IHT payments via cheque and will not make repayments using payable orders or cheques. Agents acting on […]
Cross Border Estates: UK-Spain
When talking about cross-border estates, we always get similar questions from our clients, as they are worried about different issues concerning the Spanish side of the estateThe beneficiaries of someone who has passed away with an estate which includes Spanish assets (property, bank accounts, moore, boat, cars…) are usually quite lost about how to sort […]
Reducing The Risk Of A Challenge When Taking Client Instructions
The legal sector, now more than ever, recognises the need for change and how technology is essential for firms to provide vital estate planning services to clients. We have been working hard within the Countrywide Legacy software to develop additional features to make it more appropriate in the current environment for taking instructions over the […]
Peace of Mind For Parents: Arken.legal Launches Expression Of Wishes Document
Guardianship for children is a common trigger for making a Will, and with some practitioners reporting a 75% increase in demand for Wills during the COVID-19 climate, many parents will be prioritising these provisions (and their peace of mind) now more than ever. While Arken.legal’s cloud-based Will drafting software – Arken Professional – easily enables […]
How You Can Grow Your Business With Kings Court Trust
Working with Kings Court Trust to add an estate administration service to your business proposition has a number of benefits, as highlighted by this partner’s feedback. Jill Clayton, Corporate Partnership Manager at Kings Court Trust asked a business partner to share their experience of working with Kings Court Trust with a prospective partner. Read the […]
Martin Holdsworth Features On Topical Talks With Title Research Podcast
In episode three of Topical Talks, Title Research was joined by Martin Holdsworth, Founder and Director of the inheritance dispute resolution law firm, IDR Law. The focus of this episode is contentious probate and the discussion covers: How contentious probate has evolved Why non-contentious lawyers need to understand contentious processes Common areas of dispute And […]
Covid-19 Benefits Could Drag 700,000 Retirees Into Poverty
Retirees could lose pension protections through the triple lock guarantee in order to help fund the support offered to the UK public during the lockdown. According to research from thinktank, Social Market Foundation (SMF), state funding will need to be significantly reduced in the years ahead in order to recoup the current state borrowing which […]
Businesses Defer Defined Benefit Pensions
Pension payments are being deferred or delayed by hundreds of businesses in the UK because of Covid-19’s impact on the economy. According to research by Lane Clark & Peacock (LCP), more than 500 businesses will use emergency measures to stop paying Defined Benefit (DB) scheme deficits. This could mean that more than £500 million is […]
Recorded Deaths Significantly Higher Than Seasonal Average
The most recent data suggests that deaths registered in England and Wales for this time of year are at their highest levels since records began in 2005. According to data for the week up to April 3, compiled by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the 16,387 deaths recorded are statistically significantly higher than any […]
Stepdaughter Loses Legal Battle Against Terminal Stepmother
A daughter who challenged her late father’s Will after her terminally ill stepmother disinherited her has lost a High Court battle. Carly Shapton, brought the case against her father’s (Colin Seviour) estate and terminally ill stepmother, Maria Seviour, after the entirety of her father’s estate, worth around £268,000, was left to his late wife. Following […]
Free webinar: Bona Vacantia In England And Wales
Free webinar: Bona Vacantia in England and Wales and how a genealogist can help Title Research’s Technical Manager, Simon Barber, will discuss what Bona Vacantia is, the options available to you when you come across a Bona Vacantia case, and how a genealogist can help your approach to an unclaimed estate. Simon will also explain […]
Private Client Solicitors Adapting To Social Distancing
In these unprecedented times, Wills and Probate professionals have been pushed to their limits. The combination of increased demand and unconventional approaches to completing Wills whilst on lockdown has forced many practitioners to find innovative approaches. Here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we have asked independent Will writers and private client solicitors to share their […]
Chancellor Pledges £750 Million To Charity Sector
The charity sector will benefit from a £750 million support package to help ease the financial burden many will suffer as a result of social distancing restrictions. The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced the investment during the evening briefing on Wednesday, claiming that tens of thousands of charities will be supported in order to help them […]
UK Will Professionals Helping Anxious NHS Workforce
Medical staff requesting Wills is now twelve times higher than December last year. Fowwoling reports that at least seven NHS workers have lost their lives to Covid-19, workers on the front line are looking to protect their final wishes. Earlier this week, Today’s Wills and Probate suggested that NHS workers remain anxious about working in […]
Supporting Your Business Through COVID-19
It’s no surprise that demand for Wills has risen in recent weeks. Not only from the vulnerable and elderly, but NHS staff and key workers have been advised to get their affairs in order. Additionally, those with no Will in place are now finding the time to secure their wishes, should their circumstances change. At […]
Funeral Expense Payment Support Has Increased
The maximum amount a family can claim for help with coffin expenses increased by 43 per cent yesterday. As of April 8, families in need of financial support to help pay funeral expenses, such as coffins and funeral director fees, will receive £300 more. Funeral Expenses Payments, offered to eligible UK benefit claimants, will rise […]
NHS Staff Increase POA And Deputy Register Search Requests
Throughout March, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has noticed an NHS workforce increase in ‘many urgent requests to search the database for people who have lost mental capacity.’ Given the situation we are in regarding social distancing, the NHS are finding it more difficult to ascertain any instrument an incapacitated patient may have. […]
Countrywide Legacy – Business As Usual
Here at Countrywide Tax & trust Corporation Ltd, we have been overwhelmed with requests from professionals asking how the Countrywide Legacy software reduces risk for both the firm and the Adviser, whilst remaining compliant during the circumstances we now find ourselves in. There is no doubt that we are currently, and likely to remain, in […]
Kings Court Trust Missing Beneficiaries Webinar
Kings Court Trust is hosting an interesting webinar on the topic of missing beneficiaries and how you can avoid the often time-consuming task of tracing them. It takes place on Wednesday 15th April at 1 pm and registration is now open. Kings Court Trust’s Technical Manager, Simon Barber, will explain why beneficiaries go missing, how […]
