Asset protection trusts mis-sold amid potential scandal warns representative body
Families are being misled into paying for protection from care fees and reduced Inheritance Tax (IHT) through asset protection schemes that ‘don’t deliver’, and offer ‘false promises’ according to the Association of Lifetime Lawyers. The body which represents lawyers who support older people and those in vulnerable circumstances have issued a stark warning about the growing […]
The number of UK adults with a Will may have fallen but 17m could be written in the next 12 months
The number of UK adults who have a Will may have fallen over the past 12 months if the latest published statistics by The National Will Register are an indication of wider public adoption. The 2025 National Wills Report suggests 37% of adults have made a Will; a reduction on the c.50% figure reported in previous editions. […]
Probate service rescue plan reduces open caseload by 37%
The probate service says it continues to make progress on outstanding cases after its recovery plan has seen open cases reduced by 37%. In the latest family court statistics published this week, there were 39,104 total open probate cases at the end of June 2025, down from 61,992 at the end of June 2024 and […]
“Shambolic” courts infrastructure laid bare in Law Society report
Solicitors have heavily criticised the courts infrastructure in a damning new report by the Law Society of England and Wales describing the condition of court buildings as ‘shambolic’ with many in poor states of repair, technology which regularly fails, and inadequate facilities, particularly for disabled users. Asbestos, mould, dilapidated toilets, and issues with Reinforced Autoclaved […]
SRA kick client account can down the road
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has written to respondents to the consultation on the holding of client funds by solicitors to confirm it will not be taking any immediate action on removing client account from law firms. In correspondence seen by this publication, Executive Director Strategy, Innovation and External Affairs Aileen Armstrong has written to […]
More than half of adults “surprised” to learn marriage revokes a Will – Will Aid
More than half of UK adults are unaware marriage revokes a Will according to research conducted by charity consortium Will Aid. The annual campaign which returns in November, has conducted a survey of 2000 adults and found 56% of respondents were unaware of this rule. The current legal position was part of the ‘Modernising Wills […]
Help Shape the Future of Wills – Take part in the survey
Following the Law Commission’s Modernising Wills report published in May 2025, the private client sector is on the brink of transformative change. With proposals to recognise electronic Wills, update witnessing rules, and introduce new safeguards, the way we draft and execute Wills may soon look very different. To ensure the profession’s voice is heard, Arken are […]