We’re all human, we all make mistakes
Joining the latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast is Dan Temple, an expert in acknowledging and understanding the human impact of working, and managing employees and businesses. The discussion centres on creating effective and high performing teams, and what steps law firms can, and should, be taking to enable this in their business. Dan leads […]
Due Diligence in Probate
By Emma Davies, Solicitor, Masefield Solicitors LLP Masefield Solicitors LLP is a legal firm based in Ledbury, near the Herefordshire-Worcestershire border. Two other fee earners and I, plus support staff make up our small but perfectly formed private client department. We pride ourselves on offering a tailored, professional service which is flexible to match the […]
First things first – getting the basics right
I am excited to be writing this, my first blog, for Today’s Media. I qualified in 1996, and left private practice in 2012 to co-found The CS Partnership. The CS Partnership is a consultancy for law firms founded by ex-lawyers who wanted to help the profession deal with the modernisation it was facing. I am […]
The financial and reputational risk of phishing based cyber-attacks on Private Client law firms
More than 90% of all cyber attacks begin with phishing according to research by CISA. Phishing is a deceptive practice where cyber criminals pretend to be trustworthy entities to trick individuals, primarily clients, into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, often through misleading emails or messages. Your clients might receive an […]
CGT landscape set for transformative shift as advisers grapple with 260,000 individuals entering scope for first time
The landscape of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is undergoing a transformative shift that demands a fresh approach from financial advisers. Progressive increases in the CGT Annual Exemption Allowance (AEA) for individuals (£1000 in 1977) have been reversed rapidly with a decrease from £12,300 to £6,000 in 2023/24 followed by a reduction to just £3000 in […]
WillSuite’s 2024 Annual Report reveals surprising trends in estate planning
The release of WillSuite’s 2024 Annual Report has provided a comprehensive look into the intricate landscape of will drafting across England and Wales. Drawing from data sourced from over 200,000 wills and 140,000 Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), the report sheds light on key demographics, emerging trends, and notable statistics within the estate planning industry. […]
‘The Conservative Party are concerned with bad press’ : Law industry reacts to Chancellor’s Spring Budget 2024
The Legal Sector has reacted to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget rollout for this year, with comments showing very much a mixed bag of opinions. The lack of change to inheritance tax came as a surprise to many, after the Wills and Probate sector have publicly speculated on potential changes, or even scrapping the tax […]
Diary of a private client practitioner: 8th March 2024
As I was trying to save face, and not fall into a sweaty mess on the floor this morning during my morning spin class, I received some unexpected inspection from the instruction. Sometimes life throws you a curveball… This is what 2023 felt like to me… so time to rethink and regroup. 2024 really feels […]
Inheritance disputes in England and Wales are on the rise
Figures recently released by the Ministry of Justice reveal that court cases relating to disputed Wills have increased by over 34% since 2017, and by more than 140% in the past decade. This dispiriting trend is happening for a number of reasons, including that property prices have increased exponentially over the periods in question, as […]
‘Saltburn’: How the Catton family could have protected the Saltburn estate and could Oliver’s inheritance still be contested?
The dark comedy, psychological thriller that is Emerald Fennell’s ‘Saltburn’ has recently taken social media by storm, trending for its twisted storyline, leading to the demise of the aristocratic Catton family. *Trigger warning, and spoiler alert* Filmed at the English country-home Drayton House in Northamptonshire, ‘Saltburn’ is home to the Cattons, an affluent family that […]
Law firms and leadership – the skill of profitable delegation
The Today’s Wills and Probate podcast welcome Dan Warburton on to discuss the topic of leadership. Dan works with law firms leaders and partners to elevate their leadership skills to enable them empower staff to be more efficient and effective. Dan describes his work as “the skill of profitable delegation;” to create leaders who can […]
Propounding a copy of a will
Where an individual dies, in order to administer their estate, a Grant of Representation is usually required. This is an umbrella term and the specific Grant required will depend on the circumstances: Grant of Probate: this will be the Grant applied for where there is a valid Will appointing executors. Letters of administration: this is […]
What Does a New Model Law Firm Lawyer Look Like?
As legal services adapt to the ever-evolving, fast pace of modern life, the career expectations for lawyers offering these services are also undergoing a transformation. The traditional law firm model, whilst long-standing and esteemed, may no longer align with the preferences, or needs of every legal professional. So, what type of lawyer might be seeking […]
The rise in inheritance tax investigations by HMRC
HMRC recovered a record £326million following investigations into underpayments of inheritance tax in the year ending March 2022. Perhaps unsurprisingly in light of these figures, it seems that HMRC have continued their focus on inheritance tax investigations since then. Pursuant to a recent freedom of information request it is understood that HMRC opened 2,029 inheritance tax […]
Block Policies: The Risks for Law Firms and their PI
If you’re responsible for insuring an unoccupied property during probate, standard insurance often won’t be suitable, so block policies seem convenient and affordable. But hold on! These policies often hide conditions and exclusions that could leave you and your clients with issues in the event of a claim. This article explains the risks and offers […]
Court of Protection Property and Affairs Update: TA v the Public Guardian [2023] EWCOP 63
Introduction 1. The decision of TA v the Public Guardian [2023] EWCOP 63 has just been published. It is one of very few Court of Protection decisions from 2023 touching upon its property and affairs jurisdiction so, for me as a regular in that arena, it’s exciting stuff. 2. The issue in the case was the extent […]
The importance of performance management over appraisals
Hamza Hafesji, Group Product Manager at Advanced Legal, joins the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast to discuss the importance of implementing a culture of performance management in a business. For years the only time most employees receive any sort of constructive feedback has been in an annual appraisal. For Hamza, something has to fundamentally […]
Times up on the remote execution of wills – but for how long?
We wrote in August 2020 that the Government announced that legislation would be introduced to allow remote electronic witnessing of wills but this was only to be temporary (blog link here). Time is now up and remote execution of wills is no longer permitted in England and Wales from 31 January 2024 onwards. This does not […]
Deadline approaches for backdated financial aid for bereaved parents
The deadline for bereavement support payments is looming as parents who have lost a partner have until February 8th to make a backdated claim to the government for financial help. Previously, only married couples or those in civil partnerships were eligible for a widowed parent’s benefit, but last year, this was extended to include cohabiting […]
HMCTS addresses concerns raised by probate professionals in feedback session
The Probate Professionals User Group meeting update took place this week and revealed that HMCTS (HM Courts & Tribunals Service ) have confirmed that they are aware of the concern raised by some probate professionals that they are unable to produce the Legal Statement until the code from HMRC has been inputted. This week, The […]
