Free Webinars hosted by Estatesearch
Join us this December as we host two free webinars, from expert speakers offering informative and knowledgeable discussion in two distinct area. Tuesday 7th December 11am – Join Estatesearch’s own Emma Baddaley as she discusses the billions of pounds in unclaimed assets in the UK. Identifying estate assets and liabilities is a growing issue in […]
Solicitor suspended for inflating hours spent working
A solicitor has been suspended for nine months for registering a piece of probate work at 529 hours rather than the actual time taken to complete it, thought to be in the region of 15 hours. Clive Matthew Austin, a solicitor for 20 years, was reported to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) by his previous […]
Silverstone Auctions adds digital auction channel
Silverstone Auctions, the UK’s leading specialist classic and sports car auction house, has integrated its Automotive Auctions business in-house and rebranded it as Silverstone Digital Auctions. Launching on 1st December 2021 and quickly following on the phenomenal success of the recent Silverstone Auctions NEC Classic Car Show physical auction, the new platform retains all of […]
Certainty Expert Webinars presents 2021: A Year In Review
We are pleased to have Ian Bond, Director and Head of Wills & Estates at Thursfields Solicitors to give a detailed review of 2021 for the private client industry and a preview of what’s to come in the New Year. As the Coronavirus restrictions fade from memory, 2021 saw many Wills and Probate practitioners return to […]
New cyber laws to protect smart devices from hackers
New government legislation has been introduced to protect people’s smart devices from being hacked. The Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Bill will give ministers new powers to bring in tougher security standards for device makers, including: Banning of easy-to-guess default passwords preloaded on devices. All products now need unique passwords that cannot be reset to […]
SRA has no plans to reform indemnity insurance market
Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) leaders have commented they have no plans to reform the indemnity insurance market. Delegates at the SRA’s recent compliance conference raised the issue of increasing premiums, saying that price hikes will inevitably affect the survival of many firms. But despite concerns the SRA has signalled it is unwilling to step in. […]
Tower Street Finance – a quick, reliable and flexible experience
Tower Street Finance was able to offer a speedy and efficient service to an IFA and solicitor for a case where a large Inheritance Tax bill was due within days, with no means to pay. The deceased had left a complex estate to manage with commercial assets plus several properties both in the UK and […]
Assisted dying could be legalised in Jersey
Politicians in Jersey have voted to approve the principle of legalising assisted dying. A debate on the subject of assisted dying was initiated after 78% of the citizens’ jury, made up of Jersey islanders, ruled it was in favour of changing the law. The overall vote which was 36 in favour, 10 against and three […]
MPs back changes to social care cap
Boris Johnson has succeeded in MP backing of his social care cap for England, despite opposition from within the Conservative party. The government has won a vote in the House of Commons, with a majority of 26, to make changes to social care cost cap proposals. The proposals have however been widely criticised because they […]
More blended families seeking succession planning advice
New STEP research shows dramatic increases in modern, complex families seeking wealth and succession planning advice. Nearly two thirds (63%) of wealth and succession planning advisors say that complex, cross-border, mixed-ethnicity and cohabiting families now make up a meaningful proportion, or in some cases the majority, of the families they advise. The finding is part […]
Everything you need to know about Trusts and Taxation! Foundation Course – Part 2
This course looks in detail at different types of Trusts and the most appropriate Trust tailored to your client’s needs, securing their financial future and protecting the interests of beneficiaries. Following the introduction of the Residence Nil Rate Band, this course also talks you through everything you need to know about how these changes affect your clients planning, and how our unique […]
37% of Brits think differently about wills since the pandemic
Newly published research from Legal & General uncovers the UK’s changing attitude towards will writing. The report, which surveyed 2006 respondents in October, reveals that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted people’s attitudes towards, and reasons for, writing a will. Back in March 2020, the search term “will writing” peaked at 11,000 searches per month, […]
Collaborative thinking – with WillSuite
WillSuite are huge advocates for collaborative thinking, forming the right partnerships and for education. Group Head of Growth – Tom Stansfield helped to launch the College of Will Writing during his tenure with The Society of Will Writers and strongly believes in self-development and knowledge being the key to success for any professional. Over the […]
Estatesearch strengthens management team with three new hires
Estatesearch, specialists in simplifying and accelerating due diligence in estate administration, has appointed three new members to its management team. Emma Baddaley has come on board as Strategic Relationship Director, Ollie Wright joins as Relationship Manager – Financial Institutions, while Mandy Hawkins has been appointed Operations Manager. As Strategic Relationship Director, Emma will use her […]
IHT receipts up over 1/2 billion pounds
HMRC figures show a £0.6bn increase in inheritance tax (IHT) receipts in the first half of 2021/22 than in the same period a year earlier. £3.6bn in IHT was collected between April and October 2021, a 20% increase on the same period a year earlier. Receipts were higher than expected in October 2020, November 2020, […]
Property wealth worth more than the average pension pot
New analysis from Legal & General Finance reveals that nearly half of homeowners in England and Wales could access more funds from property wealth than the average pension pot. The report, which analysed local house price data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), shows that homeowners in 53% of areas in England and Wales […]
Free webinar: Frequently asked questions about probate and estate administration
On Wednesday 1st December at 1pm, Kings Court Trust’s Technical Manager, Nigel Merchant, will host their new and improved Q&A webinar. Nigel will provide you with the knowledge to assist conversations with your clients about probate and estate administration. More specifically, covering: How long does estate administration take? What Inheritance Tax forms do I need […]
“Product in Focus” series: active and resigned company directorship search
In the fifth article of our “product in focus” series, we look at the active and resigned company directorship search and why we include it in our Financial Profile Premium Service. As a personal representative, you wouldn’t knowingly administer an estate that has large debts. Without carrying out the proper enhanced due diligence checks, you […]
SRA proposes to end post six-year run-off cover
The SRA has announced proposals to end the provision of post six-year run-off cover (PSYROC), because the protection is thought to be disproportionately expensive. If effective, this means that the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF), which provides the additional cover for closed firms, would end, and any remaining funds would be handed to the Law Society. The […]
Consultation could pave the way for APP fraud refunds
A consultation from the Payment Systems Regulator could see legislation introduced forcing banks to refund those affected by authorised push payment (APP) fraud. APP fraud is typically perpetrated by criminals impersonating trusted individuals and organisations in order to trick people into authorising a payment to an account controlled by a criminal. The criminals will send […]
