Month: May 2021

HMCTS operational position: weekly summary update

HMCTS have updated their operational summary for week commencing Monday 17th May 2021. We encourage all users to access testing available to them. Home tests are now available from all English and Welsh courts and tribunal sites and will be offered to all professional court users, legal professionals, judiciary, contractors, jurors, witness services and staff […]

New survey shows strong business confidence in legal sector

Small and medium sized law firms saw a strong first quarter in 2021, with around half seeing an increase in the number of new matters, chargeable hours recorded and fees billed, the Law Society of England and Wales said as it published the Law Management Section’s first Quarterly Pulse Survey. The survey provides a timely […]

Faster uploading of ID photos, documents and videos

We’ve updated Alpha Legal so that ID photos, documents and videos all upload much more quickly This change also helps clients with slower Internet speeds who, previously, may have not waited for their form and ID documents to upload before cancelling and trying again. Plus Alpha Legal users and their clients have never liked the timers that encouraged forms […]

Dying Matters Awareness Week: The role of an Executor

Deciding who will be responsible for carrying out the instructions of a Will should be a task considered wisely and is a topic that is encouraged to be discussed more openly. Unfortunately, many families experience the passing of a loved one without this discussion and with little planning in place. Kings Court Trust’s latest blog, in […]

Registered Will quickly located that prevented incorrect estate distribution

Every day The National Will Register locates unknown Wills for estates that were believed to be intestate or a later Will is found that revokes the Will being used to distribute an estate. Many solicitors and probate professionals conduct a Certainty Will Search as a matter of course when dealing with an estate to ensure […]

Movers and Shakers – 14th June

Here at Today’s Wills and Probate, we wanted to share with you the good news we’ve had within in the industry of professionals joining firms and those who have moved up the promotional ladder. This week we’ve seen the following announcement with regards to appointments and promotions…… Wards Solicitors strengthens Disputes team with new appointment […]

Entries for the British Wills and Probate Awards extended

The chance to enter this year’s British Wills and Probate Awards has been extended by a week, with the new deadline being set as the 21st May. The fourth awards are brought to you by Today’s Wills and Probate, alongside headline sponsor Executor Solutions. The awards which are brought to you by Today’s Wills and […]

Inheritance tax avoidance caused charitable legacies to soar

Charitable donations left in Wills escalated last year as recent findings revealed that there has been 61 percent increase in charitable bequests in final wishes.  Recent data from Co-op will writers showed the number of people leaving tax-free gifts to charities in their wills has soared as coronavirus fatalities result in more being caught by […]

Clinical tech launched to support legal experts identify mental capacity

Clinical Tech provider, Comentis, launches the first of its kind clinically backed technology to the legal and financial services markets to tackle the growing issue of people lacking mental capacity at any one time. The Cognitive Assessment Engine (CAE) supports private client law firms in the identification of clients with reduced mental capacity, through software […]

Clitheroe v Bond – lessons on testamentary capacity

and the importance of good advice at the outset of a claim Alison Parry, Partner at JMW Solicitors, discusses testamentary capacity and the recent judgment that demonstrates 150-year old law is as relevant as ever. On 21 May 2020, judgment was handed down on the sad but interesting case of Clitheroe v Bond. Permission was […]

Website Transparency – Haven’t we done this already?

As part of our ‘Technical Corner’ we want to bring you information that will help you to continue to learn and grow in your career. This month’s technical corner article comes from Amy Bell, Director of Teal Compliance. We have seen an increase in the enquiries we have had about compliance with the Transparency Rules. […]

Miles v Shearer [2021] EWHC 1000 (Ch) – Put away your ‘chequebook’

The recent high-profile case of Miles v Shearer demonstrates that the court will not make an award for financial provision for an adult child where it considers they are not in financial need even where there is a large estate. This case concerned the two, adult daughters of Tony Shearer who sadly died from an […]

Moving to a hybrid workplace

Join us for the legal services event aimed at preparing law firms for the relaxing of lockdown restrictions in the UK. The time has come to embrace a hybrid working model and set your partners and fee earners up for success. Date & Time: 25/05/2021, 10am (duration 2 hrs incl. Q&A) The UK Government has […]

Update from the OPG on LPA delays

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has published an update explaining the reasonings behind the delays when registering Lasting Power of Attorneys. The update reveales that the OPG is “working hard to continue to deliver services”, and they can understand people’s frustrations, but they continue to do all they can to reduce the backlog. […]

Arken.legal launches new podcast series to support estate planning sector

Estate planning software specialist, Arken.legal, has launched a brand new podcast series – Business Broadcasts – exploring business success and innovation in the estate planning sector. Headed up by Arken.legal CEO, Dave Newick, the series explores matters affecting the estate planning industry, while sharing best recommendations on how to build a consistent growth engine for […]

Private client firm launches eco-campaign to help Britain’s Bees

A national Will Writing and Estate Planning company based in East Grinstead have launched an eco-campaign to provide pollen sources desperately needed for the future survival of Britain’s bees. The Just Wills and Legal Services Willing Bees campaign is inviting new customers to create their very own ‘micro-meadow’ – by donating a Bee Saving Kit […]

Gates’ billion-pound divorce and family inheritance

The divorce announcement of one of the world’s richest couples sent shockwaves out last week, when Bill and Melinda Gates announced they are to split. As well as Microsoft, the couple are famous for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and for insisting that their three children will not inherit the bulk of the Gates’ […]

First McLaren P1 registered will appear at Silverstone Auctions May Sale

One of just 375 examples produced The very first to be registered to a customer, confirmed by a personal letter from P1 designer, Frank Stephenson Just 3,666 miles from new in the hands of its two owners Finished in Volcano Yellow with a black leather interior The McLaren P1 was a game changer; with a […]

Certainty Expert Webinar: Capacity, capacity, it’s nothing like capacity

The National Will Register are pleased to welcome Tom Dumont QC from Radcliffe Chambers who will be presenting our upcoming Certainty Expert Webinar on Tuesday 25th May 2021 at 12.00pm, titled ‘Capacity, capacity, it’s nothing like capacity’. What’s the test for making Wills following the appeal in Clitheroe v Bond, and how do you ensure […]

3 simple ways to boost your mental well-being

Managing stress and mental well-being is something that all companies should make a priority, but for lawyers, it’s especially important. Per the 2018 Legal Trends Report, the average full-time lawyer works nearly 50 hours per week—75% of lawyers surveyed for the report also reported working outside of regular business hours, and 39% said that this […]