The Ombudsman’s Corner: December 2023
Our approach to dealing with matters arising from the administration of an estate When we changed our Scheme Rules in April, one change that we made was to make it clear that we accept complaints from executors and beneficiaries of an estate. In this month’s blog, I want to set out our approach to dealing […]
Responses to the Law Commission’s Supplementary Consultation Paper
The Law Commission launched their Supplementary Consultation Paper on 5th October 2023, and the consultation period ran until 8th December 2023. The Commission is now consulting on possible reforms to enable electronic wills and to the rule that a marriage or civil partnership revokes a will. The Society of Will Writers (SWW) have responded to […]
LSB consults on 2024/25 business plan
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has asked for views on its proposed business plan and budget for the 2024/25 year to ensure it remains focused on “delivering a legal services market that better meets society’s needs.” To achieve this it has outlined a 13.9% increase on last year’s budget of £4.7m, to £5.3m, a real […]
Government considers greater role for families in registration of deaths following inquests
Families could be given a greater role in the registering of their loved one’s death following an inquest under a planned Government consultation. The proposals announced in the House of Commons follows the tireless campaigning of families of victims of the Manchester Arena terrorist attack who felt it was unfair that the law prevented them […]
Firm celebrates £500k support for cancer research
A York-based law firm is celebrating 2 milestones in its effort to raise money for Cancer Research UK. RG Law has hit 7 years service with over £500,000 of legacy gifts for the cancer charity. RG Law have been participating in Cancer Research UK’s Free Wills Service since 2016, which enables people to write their […]
Estatesearch sees ‘dramatic rise’ in share sales in probate
Estatesearch has seen a dramatic rise in UK share sales over the past year. The company has confirmed a 365% increase in holdings sold in 2023, amounting to over £14 million. Alex McDermottroe, Securities Administrator, Estatesearch said that while their Financial Profile Search might identify unknown shares in a probate case, where beneficiaries are aware […]
47% of law firms fall short on making a positive first impression, research reveals
The Law Firm Marketing Club’s “What Clients Want Research 2023” report, sponsored by Moneypenny, reveals that nearly half (47%) of law firms fail to make a good first impression, suggesting a significant area for improvement. The study surveyed over 600 potential clients of legal services in the UK. A noticeable generational gap is also highlighted, […]
Morina v Scherbakova
While the bitter family probate dispute around the will of Russian oligarch Vladimir Scherbakov received considerable attention recently, the practical lesson to be learned from this high-profile case has been less scrutinised. At the root of the court battle is a concrete illustration of why keeping track of an original will in hard copy form […]
Reflecting on a year of impactful stories in wills and probate
As we draw the curtain on another year, it’s a time for reflection and gratitude. At our daily online news platform, we’ve been honoured to bring you stories that matter, and we’re immensely thankful for your unwavering support. Our journey this year has been remarkable, marked by a significant milestone of 559,005 page views. Let’s […]
Alternative Dispute Resolution & Estate Disputes – the cheaper alternative to litigation?
Introduction At some point or another, most private client professionals will come across an estate whereby a dispute arises which can be attributed to any number of claims including:- Challenges to Wills Executor disputes Trust disputes Inheritance (Provision for Family & Dependants) Act 1975 claims Although it can be concerning when issues such as these […]
Martin Lewis highlights the critical need for a Power of Attorney
Martin Lewis, a widely recognised financial expert, recently emphasised the vital importance of appointing a power of attorney. On various platforms including his ITV show, podcast, and social media, he voiced concern that many people underestimate the value of this legal tool, while mistakenly believing their current asset protection is sufficient. Lewis’s concern stems from […]
