IHT and the 2024 Budgets
The two Budgets in 2024 have together brought about some sizeable changes for Private Client practitioners, with much detail still to follow. Here are the main changes we know so far. Farms and businesses Headlines were made with the proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief from 6 April 2026 – changing […]
Understanding undue influence in Will disputes following Rea v Rea (2024)
When a Will is perceived to be unfair, this can lead to concerns that the person making it (the “testator” if male or “testatrix” if female) may not have done so of their own free will, and they may have been persuaded or even forced to alter it to favour a particular beneficiary. Put simply, […]
Burial Disputes
Over the past few years we’ve had to deal with an increasing number of disputes regarding funerals and the burial/cremation of bodies. The increase in second and third families, more dispersed families, more complex family relationships and less involvement in organised religion with a move away from traditional views regarding burials and the treatment of […]
Reassessing Client Account Interest: Navigating Regulatory Changes for Financial Stability
Handling client money is a core responsibility for law firms, with an associated obligation to pay a fair sum of interest to clients. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) requires firms to account to clients for interest earned on funds held on their behalf, in line with the principle of fairness outlined in the SRA Accounts […]
How AI is Transforming Billing Models and Client Relationships in Law Firms
The legal industry is undergoing a huge shift, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). While much of the focus has been on AI’s ability to enhance operational efficiency, its impact on billing practices and client relationships is equally transformative. In a sector long-dominated by traditional hourly billing, AI offers a path to new, outcome-based […]
Probate administration; better or worse?
What is the current sentiment across the profession around wills, probate, client experience, speed of administration, attitude toward financial services… that is the topic of the latest Today’s Wills and Probate which delves into the recently published “Bereavement Index”; an annual report tracking the key issues facing individuals and firms dealing with the administration of […]
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 […]
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 […]
PLG – On the Move!
In January 2025 PLG turn 5 years old. I quite literally have no idea how that has happened. It seems like only yesterday that we established ourselves in the probate property sector. Since launching we have occupied 3 different offices, with each of the moves coming down to the growth of our company. Office 1 […]
Part 1: Influencing the future: What next for Undue Influence in Probate?
This is the first of two related articles about undue influence in the probate context, which will explore, first, this year’s important decision of the Court of Appeal, the case of Rea v Rea;[1] and whether, in the light of that case, the current law as it is understood is fit purpose. Secondly, it will […]
Common Questions about Islamic Wills
When discussing Islamic wills and how they interact with UK law, several common questions arise. Muslims in the UK often face unique challenges in balancing their religious obligations with the legal framework of the country. Mariam Khan has been providing Islamic Will services since 2018 with qualifications in Islamic inheritance jurisprudence, alongside a master’s in […]
Autumn Budget 2024: Initial statement and reaction from STEP
Emily Deane TEP, Technical Counsel and Head of Government Affairs at STEP, the global membership body for inheritance advisors responds to the Autumn 2024 Budget: ‘It is disappointing that the government has not seized the opportunity to increase the inheritance tax nil-rate-band. Subjecting pension pots to a 40% tax will also come as a shock to […]
Shared experience; insight and best practice in estate administration
Legal Services Director at Kings Court Trust Charlotte Toogood joins the latest Today’s Wills and Probate podcast to impart her experience of working in estate administration over the last 16 years. With contentious probate on the rise Charlotte shares her thoughts on what we can do as practitioners, and how we can better advise families […]
Power of Attorney Legislation: A STEP Global Guide
I am the editor of the forthcoming Power of Attorney Legislation: A STEP Global Guide. In this Guide STEP members have produced Q&A chapters for each of their own jurisdictions that address key questions in relation to different types of powers of attorney, protective measures, formalities, registration and cross border portability. Why is this book […]
Free wills month case study: Grandad leaves family instruction on how to fix leaky tap in his will
CASE STUDY Alisa, 30, Marketing Professional My Grandad’s ‘For When I’m Gone’ file changed my life. After her grandfather passed away on Christmas Eve, we discovered a folder he had created titled “For When I’m Gone.” The folder included everything from practical matters like his will and life insurance policy, to sentimental items like messages […]
Six ways the Budget could raise inheritance tax or CGT at death
Possible moves to increase taxes on the transfer of wealth at death continue to feature in speculation as to where ‘painful’ Budget measures will land. As pre-Budget leaks start to trickle out, it has been reported that the Chancellor is backing away from reform of tax reliefs on pension contributions because of the probable impact […]
QualitySolicitors – The next chapter
As one of the disruptors in the wake of the Legal Services Act 2007 QualitySolicitors (QS) was launched in 2009 with the ambition to help the high street fight back against the anticipated onslaught of major brands entering the legal market – so-called ‘Tesco Law.’ QS grew rapidly, with firms up and down the country […]
Huge increase in families going to war over a will
UK leading Will and Trust Disputes lawyer says enquiries over past three years have increased by 350% A sense of entitlement, the rise in property values, increasingly complex family structures and/or the belief undue influence has been exercised, are the reasons behind the astonishing rise in families going to war over a will, says Alison […]
Contesting a will with willclaim solicitors no win no fee specialists – reconstituting a will under rule 54, non-contentious probate rules 1987
Will claim Solicitors, specialist no win no fee will dispute and will contest Solicitors, discuss reconstruction of a will under r54 NCPR, 1987 in a case where a previous will exists but a party refuses to disclose it during proceedings challenging the validity of a later will. Overview – Oliver v Oliver [2024] EWHC 2289 […]
Free and low cost will schemes – good or bad?
Free and low cost will schemes are an established part of the wills and probate sector, providing charities with valuable legacy income streams, and practitioners with their largest source of lead generation. The latest Today’s Wills and Probate Podcast welcomes Richard Millar of Capacity Marketing on to discuss the value of free and low cost […]