What you need to know about Islamic wills
In this Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie sat down with Mariam Khan, Solicitor at WMP Legal, to discuss the complexities of Islamic wills and estate planning. Many will writers and solicitors do not have the expertise to draft wills that align with both English law and Islamic inheritance principles. Mariam Khan has […]
Rewriting Retirement: The Impact of Pension Sharing Orders on unemployed women
This year marks the 25th anniversary of pension sharing orders in this country. While this date may not loom large in many calendars, this date marked a fundamental shift in family law. Unfortunately, despite their usefulness, pension orders have not become widespread. A 2021 Manchester University report highlighted the difficulties pensions can cause as part […]
Celebrating 20 Years of Free Wills Month: Helping Clients Secure Their Future While Supporting Charities
This March, Free Wills Month returns, giving individuals aged 55 and over the opportunity to write or update a simple Will at no cost. Some of the UK’s most beloved charities are collaborating with local solicitors to offer this invaluable service, encouraging people to consider leaving a legacy gift while ensuring their affairs are in […]
Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124: A Landmark Decision on Larke v Nugus Requests
The High Court’s recent ruling in Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124 (Fam) underscores the critical role of solicitors in responding to Larke v Nugus requests in contested will cases. The High Court’s recent decision in Addison & Anor v Niaz [2024] EWHC 3124 (Fam) has significant implications for will disputes, particularly regarding […]
Thinking of gifting wealth during your lifetime this Christmas season? There are some things you should keep in mind
The UK is in the midst of a historic shift in wealth. If the current predictions come to pass, around £5.5 trillion will be passed down from one generation to the next by 2050. With this unprecedented transfer of wealth, the government will acquire record receipts of Inheritance Tax (IHT). For those unfamiliar with IHT, […]
One of a kind: Clive Ponder
It is with profound sadness Today’s Wills and Probate learnt of the passing of Clive Ponder who died last week. As founder and Director of CTT Group, Clive was instrumental in driving the business forward alongside his long time friend and ally Bob Massey; and was a vocal advocate for the will writing profession. An […]
‘Diversity: Not Just a buzzword, but a business imperative for UK law firms’
When choosing a law firm, one might assume clients typically prioritise expertise, reputation, and value for money. However, in an age where social responsibility and fairness are becoming increasingly important, there’s another factor that is fast gaining prominence: diversity and inclusion (D&I). This year, in the Law Firm Marketing Club’s ‘What Clients Want 2024’ survey, […]
Clarkson’s Farm: Inheritance Tax, Trusts and Agricultural/Business Reliefs following the 2024 Autumn Budget
On 19 November 2024, Jeremy Clarkson found himself being questioned by Victoria Derbyshire at the protests outside Parliament in relation to the planned changes to Agricultural and Business Property Relief from Inheritance Tax (IHT), to which his response appeared to be that he would simply put his farm in a Trust, and as long as […]
Part 2: Influencing the future: What next for Undue Influence in Probate?
The first part of this article analysed the recent case of Rea v Rea,[1] noting the difficulties faced by someone wishing to plead and prove an allegation of undue influence on the basis of circumstantial evidence, since ‘persuasion’ will usually be a legitimate way of procuring the same result. This can leave those wanting to […]
STEP’s global research survey
We would like to invite you to participate in STEP’s new global research survey that seeks to gather insight into, and evidence of, people’s evolving attitudes to wealth and taxation. Through this research, we hope to establish some of the behavioural trends of clients and consider how these might inform future approaches to wealth and […]
What legal principles underpin the assisted dying debate?
Wednesday 16th October saw the formal introduction of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill before the House of Commons. Full details of the Bill and the scheme it will propose have not yet been published, although some sources have suggested that the Bill might follow a similar path to the Bill introduced by […]
Case Review: The Lessons of Leonard v Leonard
Today’s Wills and Probate Host David Opie is joined by Birketts’ Head of the Private Wealth Dispute Team Bernadette Baker and Partner in the team Kate Harris to discuss the case of Leonard v Leonard; a convoluted and disputed probate case concerning the estate of Jack Leonard and the validity of two separate Wills. Bernadette […]
Why it’s not surprising there’s a rise in disputes against executors of Wills
High Court claims against executors in England and Wales have grown by more than 20 per cent over the past 12 months, according to research recently published by the Times. While the total number of disputes remains quite low, legal practitioners believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg since most of them […]
A bombshell for beneficiaries
With probate solicitors finding themselves dealing with increased cases involving complex shared appreciation mortgages, specialist financial services litigation lawyer Laura Robinson, of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, explores the advice clients should be given. At an already incredibly difficult time, sometimes with loved ones moving into care or passing away, donors and beneficiaries are […]
Avoiding Probate Delays
The probate process is an inevitable journey following the loss of a loved one. It involves the legal and financial steps to ensure that assets are distributed as per their wishes. While the process is a standard legal requirement, it can become complex and delayed if the right procedures aren’t followed. Delays in probate can […]
BWAP 2024 hailed ‘fantastic industry event’ in run up to shortlist for seventh year of awards
The 7th edition of The British Wills and Probate Awards will be delivered as a hybrid event, on Thursday 10th October 2024, with an in-person ceremony hosted by Ben Hanlin at the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, with returning headline sponsor CTT Group. The awards are brought to you by Today’s Media, the publishers of […]
Maximising the potential of Remember A Charity Week
Recent figures reveal that two thirds of UK adults don’t currently have a Will in place – and there are several reasons for this, from procrastination to not wanting to confront one’s own mortality. Could Remember A Charity Week, and the opportunity to engage with clients through conversations about gifts in Wills, present the ideal solution? […]
Law Society supports legal professionals who are targets of protestors as one firm closes after ‘threats of far right violence to staff’
The Law Society has continued it’s vocal support of solicitors in the midst of the UK riots after legal professionals and firms have become the target of threats, with one firm closing it’s doors after ‘threats of far right violence to staff’. Many firms in the country are reported to be on high alert as […]
How does gifting work? The Inheritance Tax edition
By Charlotte, Legal Services Director at Kings Court Trust 1 August 2024 If you missed our social media gifting series from June and July, we’ve consolidated all our posts and are taking the opportunity to delve deeper into the nuances of Inheritance Tax (IHT) and gifting. This blog aims to provide you with a comprehensive […]
Normalising charity legacies and leaving gifts in wills
Behaviour change campaign Remember a Charity is a consortium of around 200 charities dedicated to growing the legacy market; helping charities develop what is an increasingly vital long term revenue stream. In the latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast, host David Opie is joined by Lucinda Frostick, Director at Remember a Charity and Chris Millward […]
