Legal Assistant Banned For Dishonesty
A legal assistant has been banned from working in the legal profession, after it emerged he lied about passing his exams. Benjamin Lewis Clark wanted his law firm to pay for the course fees due to having financial problems. But when his dishonesty was discovered, Mr Clark agreed with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to […]
Trust Deed Key In Contentious Case
A Cardiff court has ruled against claimants who stated their mother had signed a homemade will under undue influence by their brother. Margaret Wilcox died in 2016 leaving her home to her son Edward McCarthy, under the terms of a will written by Edward and witnessed by his best friend and friend’s wife, in 2014. […]
Certainty Expert Webinar Presents Andrew Bishop, Senior Associate, Shoosmiths LLP & James McKean, Barrister, New Square Chambers
We’re pleased to welcome Andrew Bishop, Senior Associate at Shoosmiths LLP and James McKean, Barrister at New Square Chambers who will be presenting our next Certainty Expert Webinar on Wednesday 22nd July at 12.00pm, titled “Til death do us part: ‘predatory marriage and probate’”. Predatory marriages can revoke Wills and disinherit beneficiaries. Their consequences may […]
Moneypenny Launches Covid-19 Screening Bot For Law Firms
A new online Self-screening Bot has been launched to help law firms manage clients’ safety more easily, before any face-to-face meetings take place. Launched by leading outsourced communication provider Moneypenny, the bot has three core functions, all of which can be customised easily. Firstly, it captures contact details securely in one place to enable track […]
Don’t Forget To Remind Clients To Pay IHT
In the midst of helping people set their affairs in order, sometimes little details can seemingly slip by as other priorities take precedence. However, if a client will have to pay inheritance tax (IHT) following the death of a loved one, it is worth reminding them that they only have a set amount of time […]
HMRC Revokes Electronic IHT Form Submission
On the 26 June, professionals across the country received an email from HMRC that stated due to the relaxation in restrictions across the UK, the number of accounts submitted by post was reverting to the usual volumes. It was therefore recommended that all customers who were able to use the postal system to file IHT […]
Equity Release Figures Latest Victim Of Pandemic
It seems the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus pandemic are never ending. The latest casualty is the equity release sector which have fallen in quarter two. Figures released by Key, have revealed that in quarter two there was a 45% drop in the amount of equity being released and a 27% fall of customers utilising […]
Trust Inheritance Ventures Forward With New Board Member
Trust Inheritance Ltd, market leaders in all things Wills, Trusts and Probate have decided to “embrace change and always put the customer first”, venturing into the regulated world by launching TI Law Ltd. In venturing forward, the Board welcomed Ekta Porter, a solicitor with over 10 years private client experience, as Director and Head of […]
New Online Service To Improve Lasting Power Of Attorney
Today saw the launch of a new online tool, allowing attorneys to contact banks and healthcare providers, that will replace the paper-based system and maintain safeguards to protect elderly and vulnerable from abuse. The Office of Public Guardian (OPG) has stated that the new tool will help those with power of attorney to implement decisions […]
OPG Demonstrate How They Encourage The Use Of LPAs
Today’s Wills and Probate had the opportunity to speak to the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG). During the chat, the OPG wanted to raise awareness of their ‘Your Voice, Your Decision‘ campaign, which will writing professionals can get involved in. ‘Your Voice Your Decision’ marketing campaign Last year we launched our ‘Your Voice, Your […]
Supporter In Focus: The Property Ladder Group
In a series of Supporters in Focus pieces, we are thrilled to introduce our supporters of The British Wills & Probate Awards 2020. This year the awards will recognise a sector which has tackled the challenges presented by Covid-19 head on. Alongside headline sponsor Arken.Legal we look forward to recognising achievement, highlighting progression and championing […]
Trio Escape Estate Fraud Prosecution
Constance Atkins, Brian Oxley and Jane Oxley were accused of estate fraud in relation to Reginald Atkins. The England and Wales High Court (EWHC) upheld the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) decision to not prosecute the trio with regards to fraudulently obtaining the estate. Charles Constable, the nephew of the deceased (Reginald Atkins) alleged that Constance […]
An Unspoken Assumption, For Me, Renders Everything Else Dubious At Best
Published by the Daily Mail, the paper that hired Katie Hopkins, we have an article by Dr Eliza Filby. I am not going to question Dr Filby’s integrity nor spend any time questioning her motives for writing such a biased, short sighted, misconceived piece other than to say it smells very much like she owns […]
Supermen Webinar 68: Estate Planning Taxation Update? What’s changed?
Topics include: Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and Trusts – What are the rules and opportunities now? Capital Gains Tax (CGT): Declarations of Trust: How not to cost your client’s up to 50% of their main residence relief… Lettings Relief: What’s changed? Main Residence relief new restriction: What does it mean to your clients? Planning […]
WillSuite Launches Two New Features To Help You Grow Your Business
WillSuite users have come to expect new and exciting system enhancements and the TWO new features launched this week will not disappoint. Our team of developers have been busy building some cool new features which have made our CRM system even more attractive to users looking to expand their business. Users are already used to […]
Holly Mieville-Hawkins Discusses Inheritance Tax Planning & The Court of Protection On Topical Talks
In episode six of Topical Talks, Title Research was joined by expert guest, Holly Mieville-Hawkins, Senior Associate at Enable Law. Holly is an expert in the field of Court of Protection work, specialising in making and defending applications. She is a member of the Law Society Wills and Equity Committee, a fully accredited member of […]
Is A New Regime Needed To Check Solicitors’ Competence?
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), is going to launch a review on its regime of checking a solicitor’s competence. This has come as a result of the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) asking that the review includes an “independent review of cases or advice such as spot checks or mystery shopping.” Earlier this year the […]
Rise In Funeral Expenses During Pandemic
It has been revealed that the cost of funerals, specifically the cost of a cremation, has continued to rise in the UK, despite services being reduced as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. One widower, who sadly lost and had a lockdown funeral for his wife said she received a “pauper’s funeral” as a result […]
Webinar: Financial Asset Searches In Estate Administration
In this specialist webinar, taking place on Wednesday 22nd July at 12pm, Title Research’s Head of Business, Anthony Allsopp, will be joined by Bruce Cane, Founder of Inheritance Data, to discuss Financial Asset Searches in estate administration. They’ll discuss why Financial Asset Searches are so important in estate administration and share how Title Research’s new service powered by […]
Chancellor Launches CGT Review
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak has announced a review of Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The Chancellor has asked the Office for Tax Simplification (OTS) to review whether the tax is too low, in comparison to income tax rates. Some people believe that this move is an attempt for Rishi Sunak to target the […]
