Probate delays failing to improve, data suggests

Delays continued to torment the probate process during October as the wait times seen in September showed few signs of improvement – especially with regards to digital applications. Specifically, the average total time taken from submission to grant issue for all probate applications, including both digital and paper, was 9.3 weeks in October 2022, just […]

Report suggests scrapping IHT breaks on pensions

A new report has suggested a rewriting of the inheritance tax (IHT) rules which currently treat pensions “extremely favourably”. Under proposals put forward by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), pension pots should be included as part of the taxpaying deceased’s estate for IHT purposes. They also suggested the basic rate of income tax should […]

Metamorph: SRA confirms intervention into four firms

SRA logo

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it is intervening into four firms owned by legal consortium Metamorph. The intervention is deemed necessary by the SRA to “protect the interests of clients and former clients of those firms” and follows a period of uncertainty following reports of winding-up petitions, director departures, and staff disquiet. The […]

Astronomer causes legal battle after leaving 400k to anonymous “best mate”

400k estate to anonymous “best mate”

Deathbed will leads to dispute with the the British Astronomical Association A Northamptonshire astronomer has caused a probate dispute after leaving £400,000 in his will to his “best mate” who nobody knows. Roy Panther rose to fame after discovering the Comet Panther in the 1980s by using a homemade telescope. He was even interviewed by […]

Charity Commission promises to do more to raise levels of philanthropy

Charity Commission

Chair of Charity Commission calls existing levels “shameful” The Charity Commission for England and Wales has promised to do more to raise philanthropy levels by providing new guidance to donors. Orlando Fraser KC, the Charity Commission’s new chair, said in a speech at the Beacon Philanthropy Forum, that he will grow philanthropy after research shows […]

Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast: A year in conversation with the industry

Today's Wills and Probate Podcast

2022 saw the launch of the Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast which has steadily grown in popularity over the last 12 months. With a new discussion released monthly, the podcast has tackled topics as diverse as technology, marketing, regulation; and delved into the world of probate property, genealogy and prepaid probate. The objective of the […]