Chancellor Rachel Reeves has decided against increasing taxes on pension contributions in the upcoming budget, following warnings from public sector unions that such a move would negatively impact their members, as reported by The Guardian.
1st of October marked the beginning of Free Wills Month. During the whole month, many solicitors offer free will-writing services. Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said that writing a will “spares
The England and Wales High Court’s recent judgment in Nilsson v Cynberg (2024 EWHC 2164 Ch) has introduced new uncertainty around the relationship between constructive trusts and expressly declared trusts, legal experts have noted. The
A new survey conducted by Will Aid has revealed an “alarming gap” in public understanding about inheritance laws affecting cohabiting couples. The survey found that 68% of cohabitees were unaware of the rules of intestacy
The UK could face a burial space crisis unless outdated laws from the 19th century are reformed, the Law Commission has warned. To combat overcrowding in cemeteries, it has proposed a series of measures, including
A YouGov poll commissioned by law firm Kingsley Napley shows a majority of the British public (64%) favour raising the £325k threshold at which IHT must be paid and there continues to be strong opposition
After last year’s successful inaugural event, booking is now open for the second Wills and Probate Risk and Compliance Conference, which will be held on Thursday 13th March 2025 in Leeds. The event will be
The Equity Release Council (the Council) has launched the Later Life Lending Summit in collaboration with the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) which will be taking place on the 19th November 2024 at Cutlers’ Hall
Nearly two-thirds (62%) of people have set money aside specifically for travelling while in retirement, according to Legal & General’s survey. When surveyed about the types of trips retirees plan to take, short staycations were
Moore Barlow has announced the hire of two new members to its growing Private Wealth Dispute team. Moore Barlow has offices in Guilford, London, Lymington, Richmond, Southampton and Woking. The team, which is situated in
Compare My Move have launched Wills & Probate Services. Compare My Move has been working with solicitors for six years, and has helped conveyancing partners generate over 54,000 leads in the past year. On the
Almost half (46%) of professional services firms across the UK are not equipped to handle the risk of a potential cybersecurity attack, new research by Stridon has found. The study, of 500 key IT decision-makers
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has approved a rise in the contributions solicitors make to the Compensation Fund, despite serious concerns from the Law Society of England and Wales. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has
Andy Haldane, a former chief economist at the Bank of England, has urged caution regarding the government’s plan to close tax loopholes for wealthy foreigners, following concerns that the reform may not generate revenue, as
Probate lender Provira has launched its inheritance advance and estate advance products to individuals and executors of estates in Scotland. The expansion into Scotland follows a new £25 million lending facility secured by Provira in
Consumer groups are calling for a public inquiry into the pre-paid funeral plan industry after the collapse of Safe Hands Plans Ltd left thousands of British families without their money or funeral coverage. Safe Hands,
Co-op Legal Services has delivered continued growth during the first half of the year, while holding prices on its services for members and clients. The member-owned organisation achieved strong volume growth in the initial six
Legacy Futures has published findings from its most recent Legacy Monitor, the legacy giving consultancy’s quarterly research programme. The Legacy Monitor compiles data from a consortium of 81 of the UK’s leading charities, representing almost
Chancellor Reeves outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy. The Treasury is considering potential increases in capital gains tax, inheritance tax, and
An organisation that has helped over 2000 charities to benefit from charitable gifting through wills is celebrating another milestone by welcoming its 500th official charity partner. FreeWills is an online, solicitor-checked service. They have said
Southport based Langton Genealogy have announced that co-founder Claire Miller has been awarded Best Probate Research Paralegal at the National Paralegal Awards with CILEX. Langton Genealogy is a genealogy and probate research company based in
Nationwide bereavement notification service Settld has been named the top UK Mobile and Emerging Technologies StartUp of the Year at the 2024 UK StartUp Awards. Settld, which became a service of The Estate Registry in
STEP announced the winners of the 2024 Private Client Awards last night during a ceremony at the London Hilton on Park Lane. Broadcaster and author Susie Dent hosted the awards. STEP’s Private Client Awards, now
Overhauling the tax rules on property wealth gifting in the new Government’s first Budget can help over-50s to expand support for first-time buyers, equity release adviser Key Later Life Finance says. The UK’s new Labour
Inheritance Tax (IHT) receipts for April 2024 to August 2024 are £3.5 billion, which is £0.3 billion higher than the same period last year, HM Revenue and Customs reported. Laura Hayward, Tax Partner at Evelyn
Rachel Reeves is facing increasing pressure to abolish the £175,000 residence nil-rate band in her upcoming budget on October 30th, with calls mounting for a reform of the inheritance tax system. The Resolution Foundation, a
A vote to introduce assisted dying in the UK could be on the horizon, as Downing Street has indicated it will not obstruct a private member’s bill on the matter. Polling by YouGov in 2024
Jill Langley, the 70-year-old daughter of British millionaire Robert Harrington, has secured a significant legal victory after successfully contesting her late father’s will, as reported by The Telegraph. Harrington, who passed away in 2020 at
In celebration of Remember a Charity Week, the British Deaf Association (BDA) has announced that Culver Law is now offering the first ever British Sign Language (BSL) accessible will writing service to the Deaf community.
Family contributions are increasingly essential for home purchases, and generous parents and grandparents are looking to their own property wealth to help support younger buyers, according to new research from Legal and General and the
Although a decline in probate delays shows promising momentum in improving the probate process, more needs to be done, claims the Law Society of England and Wales. HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) published its
Solicitors now have the chance to help 67% of UK adults who either don’t have a will or have one that’s out-of-date, by taking part in this year’s Will Aid campaign. The poll by the