47,426 deaths registered in January 2016
The number of deaths registered in England and Wales in January 2016 was 47,426. This represents an increase of 1,928 from December, but a decrease of 13,462 from January 2015, which the ONS, who released the figures, puts down to higher levels of influenza circulating around the country. In total, 60,888 deaths were registered in […]
Cilla Black’s £15 million estate split between her three sons and housekeeper
Cilla Black splits £15 million between her three sons and housekeeper Details of Cilla Black’s will have emerged, with the singer and TV personality splitting £15 million between her three sons. The Liverpool-born entertainer also left £20,000 to her 72 year old housekeeper of 30 years, Penny Walker, who according to one source Cilla “treated […]
Could you be the one? (Will they, or won’t they?)
This week’s tweet of the week comes from a Bedford-based probate solicitor in search of new business contacts and partnerships. Is this something you’d be interested in? Is social media a good way of building business contacts? Will she find who she is looking for? Probate solicitor looking for will writers and estate planners […]
Demand for inheritance tax advice predicted to increase
A manager for an Oxford-based tax efficient investment firm has predicted an increase in families seeking advice and help to avoid being caught out by the ongoing rise in inheritance tax (IHT) payments, with escalating house prices. Simon Ruthers of Oxford Capital said: “If you are a homeowner and you own an average detached house […]
New date announced for the next Supermen series webinar
Why not join our FREE Monthly Supermen Webinars and learn how YOU too can be a hero. All of our Supermen Webinars are run monthly with a different topic each month and are presented by our team of full Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) members and solicitors. Countrywide Tax & Trust Corporation Limited […]
Over 55s underestimate house price gain by nearly £200,000
The average over 55 home owner underestimates the value their home has gained by nearly £200,000, according to research published by the Equity Release Council. According to the research, the average over 55 home owner puts housing value gains since they bought the property at 94% when in reality the average property price has risen […]
Return of the Kings Court Trust seminars
With the announcement that the Kings Court Trust seminars will be returning this autumn, there are some important dates to note down. The opening seminar that is set to be held in the Kings Court Trust Offices, Bath, is set to take place on Tuesday 17th November. Following on from this, the locations and dates […]
Charities join forces to contest £1.6 million inheritance
National newspapers have this week been reporting on a court case which sees 4 charities accusing a 95 year old woman of using a “suspicious” will to falsely secure a £1.6 million inheritance from a friend. The charities believe that when Mrs Whelan (the deceased) prepared a will in 1982, it stated that she left […]
Today’s Wills & Probate turns one!
It was a year ago today that we officially launched the Today’s Wills & Probate website — and what an amazing 12 months it’s been. From humble beginnings, the website has grown and developed into one of the most well respected and influential publications within the wills and probate profession. The team has worked incredibly […]
Karen’s charity cycle venture
Karen Babington of Today’s Wills & Probate is dipping a toe in the Irish Sea before venturing on a coast to coast cycle ride across the north of England. The fundraiser challenge that’s been set is to cycle 140 miles from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in order to raise money for Rainbows Hospice for Children and […]
Will writing services support charity fundraiser
Local solicitors and the York Teaching Hospital Charity (YTHC) are joining together in October for a charity fundraiser, offering will writing services and advice to local people. The campaign hopes to encourage more local people to write their will, while promoting the services of the local solicitors involved. The campaign has been arranged to run […]
Stocks & Shares Update For Estate Practitioners: ‘Ketchup and Cheese’
6th July 2015 saw the launch on the stock exchange of a merger of two US giants of the savoury foods world: Heinz and Kraft Foods Group, Inc now trade on the NASDAQ as Kraft Heinz Company. Kraft Foods Group Inc stock is no longer traded Instead, shareholders receive an identical number of shares in […]
Does the probate research industry need a watchdog?
If this question had been asked 10 years ago the short answer would have been no. However in recent years there has been an abundance of changes within the probate research industry to suggest there is now a definite need for some form of control. On 6th April 2009, BBC 2 televised the first episode […]
Interview with Rob Cope, Director of Remember a Charity
Remember a Charity in your Will Week runs from September 7th to 13th 2015, so it’s time for solicitors and will writers to get involved. Rob Cope, Director of Remember a Charity, tells Jane Common of Today’s Wills and Probate why it’s such an important date for the diary… What events have you got planned […]
Interview with Daniel Curran, Managing Director of Finders
Daniel Curran is Managing Director of probate genealogy experts Finders and a leading figure in the heir hunting industry. He chatted to Jane Common about why it’s such an interesting sector to work in and his role on the BBC1 series Heir Hunters, which starts filming a new series this autumn. How did you get into […]
Are you providing effective estate planning advice to business clients?
New training opportunity: 2 day Estate Planning Course for Business Clients Dates: 14th/15th October — 10 CPD hours *FULLY BOOKED* 9th /10th December — 10 CPD hours Tutor: Mike Smith The importance of will writing and exit strategy is increasingly underplayed and treated with negligence across the UK, which is understandable. Death and exiting strategy […]
The Gazette to hold focus groups for the probate sector
The Gazette team is inviting legal professionals in the probate sector to take part in one of a number of focus groups being held across England. The focus groups will concentrate on probate-related matters, specifically on placing deceased estate notices in The Gazette, and how The Gazette could improve its services to the probate sector. The […]
Customer Reviews – What do they say about you?
Market research in the US conducted by Brandlocal.com has found that 88% of consumers read reviews to determine the quality of a local business and a further 88% trusted those views as much as a personal recommendation. The report also found 85% of consumers sought the advice of at least 10 reviews before purchasing. A […]
Free DIY Will with the Daily Mail this Saturday
The Daily Mail are offering their readers the chance to get a free will with this Saturday’s issue. The, ‘Last Will and Testament Kit’ is being provided free by Lawpack and contains information to enable laypersons to complete their own ‘legally valid will, without the expense of a solicitor’. Quite rightly, the Daily Mail are […]
The Probate Game – Will they, or won’t they?
This week we have an interesting comparison between probate and game shows – is it really that much of a gamble, or should this person be choosing a different professional? This probate thing makes me feel like I’m on a game show with lawyers. Get it right, then six figures. Get it wrong, bus […]
