People living in neighbouring postal districts can have dramatically different life expectancy after retirement, according to new research by WTW, which has analysed the longevity expectations of occupational pension scheme members in every postal district
Rising numbers of families are becoming embroiled in inheritance disputes – with many cases ending up in court. As many as 10,000 people in England and Wales are disputing wills every year, and data reveals
Law firm, Gardner Leader, has gathered together 35 local professionals for an Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friends training event to raise greater awareness on how the condition impacts people, both professionally and personally. One in three
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has sent this letter to James Henry Funeral Services regarding its breach of the Funerals Market Investigation Order 2021 (‘the Order’). The Order was made under the market investigations
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed he will vote against a proposed change to the law on assisted dying, despite previously supporting it, as reported by The BBC. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has introduced a
Inheritance tax receipts for April 2024 to September 2024 are £4.3 billion, which is £0.4 billion higher than the same period last year. In the last set of tax revenue statistics before the Budget, HM
The relatives of a determined 92-year-old woman, Carry Keats, are embroiled in a £800,000 court dispute after she partially tore up her will on her deathbed, as reported by The Times. The incident has led
Millions of UK adults risk leaving grieving loved ones without access to cherished memories and vital information by neglecting to plan for their digital legacy, a new survey by Will Aid shows. The national Will-writing
The latest quarterly Equity Release report revealed a 2% increase in new plans agreed, bringing the total to 5,370 for the quarter. This marks the first time since the Autumn 2022 mini-Budget that the equity
HMRC has issued a warning to business owners against claiming tax deductions for hypothetical future penalties under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as reported by STEP. The tax authority has identified that some tax
The Law Society of England and Wales has announced its new artificial intelligence (AI) strategy based on three pillars: Innovation, Impact and Integrity. AI is already driving Innovation across the legal sector. At the core
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published findings from its corporate strategy benchmarking research, which examines key audiences’ perception of its performance, despite continued warnings from the Law Society of England and Wales to focus
Delays to probate applications have declined in recent months according to new statistics, but as the industry celebrates Free Wills Month, one wills specialist insists officials are still not doing enough to eliminate the “unacceptable”
The Legal Services Board (LSB) announces the appointment of barrister Elaine Banton as a non-lay member of the Office for Legal Complaints (OLC). The LSB oversees the OLC, the board of the Legal Ombudsman, making
Morecambe Bay Wills and Estates Limited has announced its success at the British Wills and Probate Awards 2024, held on 10th October in Manchester. The firm proudly secured victories in two esteemed categories. Since its
The government is considering changes to inheritance tax in an effort to raise additional revenue, the BBC has learned. While the specific details of the changes remain unclear, discussions are underway about various exemptions and
Southport based Langton Genealogy 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 Southport
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently published compliance guidance for unregulated providers of will writing, online divorce, and pre-paid probate services. This guidance aims to help these businesses comply with existing consumer protection laws
In a landmark judgment, the England and Wales High Court (EWHC) has ruled that a widower, Philip Morris, can inherit the residue of his late wife Myra Morris’s estate, despite having accompanied her to a
Farewill has announced its acquisition by Dignity. This acquisition will see the two companies combine their expertise and resources whilst expanding their impact across legacy fundraising, in-memory giving, and funeral services. The partnership will significantly
A new proposal to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults in England and Wales was introduced in the UK Parliament, drawing both support and concern from various groups, including senior church leaders. Labour MP
The Competition and Markets Authority has published compliance guidance for unregulated providers of will writing, online divorce and pre-paid probate services. The purpose of this compliance guidance is to help unregulated businesses providing will writing,
W&P Professional Services, brought to you by W&P Legal, is the first compliance and business support provider solely for estate planners in England and Wales. They have stated that a direct result of years of
For the first time in almost half a century, the UK has experienced more deaths than births, marking a significant demographic shift, as reported by The Guardian. Excluding the spike in deaths during the Covid-19
A proposal to grant terminally ill individuals in England and Wales the legal right to end their lives is set to be introduced in Parliament this month. Labour MP Kim Leadbeater is spearheading the bill,
Families of shareholders who died with an interest in British plcs, face on average, up to a year’s delay in gaining probate – due to the complexity of liquidating shares in firms which have subsequently
As the world marks World Mental Health Day today (10th October), the Law Society of England and Wales urges the UK government to modernise the Mental Health Act and give patients better access to justice
Following the Chancellor’s recent visit to Canada to see how retirement schemes successfully pool contributions from employees into larger funds that are managed by investors, the UK government is fast-tracking plans to modernise its own
To coincide with Black History Month, the Law Society of England and Wales has published new guidance to support Black or minority ethnic students entering into the profession. The guidance provides advice on: Challenging assumptions
Wards Solicitors has expanded its Trusts team with new appointments. Associate Solicitor Christine Wonnacott is the newest member of the team and joins Wards after 22 years with RWK Goodman in Bath. She has specialised
Fosters Solicitors is delighted to introduce its newly formed Court of Protection & Vulnerable Persons team. The firm has seen a significant increase in the number of people instructing them for their known “expertise and
Philip Williams joined Legal Studio as a Consultant Solicitor –specialising in Private Client. Prior to joining Legal Studio Philip began his career at Addleshaw Goddard in Leeds and London and has since held positions at