Shortlist for #BWAPAwards2025 announced
The shortlist for the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025, sponsored by Arken.legal, has been announced ahead of the black-tie celebration on 9th October. Now in its 8th year, the awards welcomes submissions from across the wills, probate, tax, trust and estate planning communities with 22 carefully curated categories, each with stringent criteria, uniquely recognising […]
Death a “key focus” for government tax reform as IHT hits record levels
The latest inheritance tax receipts for July 2025 hit record levels at £844m; and £3.1bn in the four months from the start of this financial year in April 2025 to July 2025 – £0.2bn higher than the same period last year. July 2025 was 14% higher than June 2025 (£738m) and 13% higher than July 2024 […]
Estate planner banned from profession after falsely witnessing LPA
An estate planner has been banned from the profession after admitting to falsely witnessing the signatures of a donor and two attorneys to a lasting power of attorney (LPA), rendering it invalid. Ian Heslop, who was working as self employed estate planning consultant at Co-Operative Legal Services (CLS) at the time, has admitted gross misconduct […]
Fee for Lasting Powers of Attorney applications to rise
The application fee to the Office of the Public Guardian for Lasting Powers of Attorney will increase later this year, subject to parliamentary approval. The Ministry of Justice has confirmed it intends to increase the fee from £82 per LPA application to £92 from 17th November 2025. It has also confirmed the repeat application fee […]
“Mansion tax” proposals could see CGT charged on high value homes
Following the news the government is considering introducing a national property tax in place of Stamp Duty, it has been further reported a ‘mansion tax’ is under consideration by the Treasury in an attempt to plug the £40bn gap in public finances. It is understood the October budget, the date of which is yet to […]
Billionaire’s death after swallowing a bee sparks family succession battle
The sudden death of a billionaire from swallowing a bee has resulted in succession uncertainty at one of the largest automotive component businesses in the world. Indian billionaire Sunjay Kapur was the heir to Sona Comstar a £2.7bn manufacturer founded by his father. He is alleged to have swallowed a bee while playing polo in […]