Sunak eyes IHT cut for election boost

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is contemplating tax revisions, including a possible elimination of inheritance tax (IHT). The Treasury have confirmed that the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt will deliver the 2024 Spring Budget on 6th March. The Spring Budget will include the government’s tax and spending plans plus new growth and borrowing forecasts. Online conversation suggests that […]

Addressing probate delays: HMCTS enhances performance amidst rising applications

In a recent parliamentary session, Richard Fuller, a Conservative member for North East Bedfordshire, sought clarity on the current state of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service’s performance relating to probate issues. Specifically, he inquired about the adequacy of the service’s performance on probate issues and the speed at processing applications. Responding to this query, […]

The STEP Global Representative Power (GRP)

STEP

STEP’s recent international mental capacity survey showed that there is a clear demand for cross-border recognition and portability of lasting powers of attorneys (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA). As a result, STEP has produced a Global Representative Power (the GRP): a template and a benchmark for a power of attorney that will be […]

Key recruit for probate property management specialists

Probate property management specialist Property Solutions Group has announced that Richard (Dicky) Davies has joined the team as a Non-Executive Director to the business. Dicky joins with a remit to support the growth and expansion of both Property Solutions Group, and premium brand Southey & Co. Dicky has over 35 years’ experience in Financial Services […]

Inheritance disputes surge amidst complex family dynamics

Court cases over wills have seen a significant rise, with instances increasing by over 34% in the last five years and more than 140% in the past decade, as reported by The Times. Recent statistics indicate a surge to 195 inheritance disputes last year from 145 in 2017, underlining the growing tension in estate allocations. […]

Insight, opinion and innovation; Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast Round-Up 2023

Today's Wills and Probate Podcast

The Today’s Wills and Probate podcast delivers regular insight into goings on across the wills, probate, tax, trusts and estate planning profession through interviews and discussions with those who are actively engaged in it. Since launching in 2022 it has now delivered 32 episodes covering topics as varied as private client law, innovation and technology, […]

Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill

The Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Bill, which aims to modernise the law and also improve how it is understood ended Stage 3 on 20th December 2023. Owing to how the significant amendments to the Trusts (Scotland) Act 1921 (the main source of legislation in this area), it has now become incredibly complicated and difficult for […]

Tackling predatory marriages – a game of whack-a-mole

‘Look how far you’ve come’ is the cutting barb thrown by Marcia Roy, wife of media mogul Logan, at Willa, girlfriend of Connor Roy, in HBO’s Succession. Willa’s retort of ‘Well look at us both, right’, is a wry acknowledgment of their shared status in the family as ‘gold diggers’. While Logan and Connor are […]

Lancaster will writer’s 10,000 feet skydive raises £2,500 for cancer charity

A Lancaster businesswoman took a 10,000 feet plunge over an African desert for a charity which helped her through the loss of her husband. Nicola Combe, director of Morecambe Bay Wills & Estates, did a skydive over the dunes of Namibia just before Christmas to raise funds for CancerCare. Nicola set up Morecambe Bay Wills […]

How can law firms enhance their ESG efforts and meet the evolving expectations of clients?

“How important is a law firm’s approach to sustainability?” As ethical considerations and sustainable practices become increasingly crucial for both clients and businesses, the legal sector finds itself under scrutiny for more than just its ability to provide a slick service to clients. Asking clients and potential clients to weigh in on this matter, the […]

Marketing Your Law Firm in 2024: Strategies for Standing out in 2024

marketing

With 11,500 law firms in the UK differentiation can be a constant challenge. When it come to legal services marketing, law firms in 2024 must adopt innovative marketing strategies to distinguish themselves. Legal Growth, a marketing agency specialising in law firms, highlights key approaches to ensure your firm not only competes but excels in this […]