Could your clients be eligible to receive funeral payments?
When drafting or even amending a will for your clients, funeral planning is one of the integral areas that needs careful preparation. Helping to reduce the burden on family members or loved ones left behind should be a key objective. Funeral payments supplied by the Government could be available to your clients, to assist with […]
Wills and probate calls to telephone answering specialist up 56%
Telephone answering specialist Moneypenny has reported a 56% rise in the number of telephone calls relating to wills and probate taken on behalf of practitioners during the first five months of 2015, as compared to the same period last year. The findings come from an analysis of the company’s data which highlighted that not only […]
To reserve, or not to reserve? – Will they, or won’t they?
It’s one of the great debates within the will writing and legal professions – should only solicitors and trained legal professionals be allowed to execute wills? More and more professionals are being added to the list of who can carry out will writing, as well as probate. Where do we draw the line? Should they […]
Who is best? – Will they, or won’t they?
Accountants are now able to carry out probate services – is this a good addition within the industry, or should it be a more restricted practice? Will this work effectively for clients? Which group of professionals is best for probate – legal or non-legal, specialist or multi-skilled? Please share your thoughts in the comments section […]
‘Review Wills’ warning comes following plans for changes to wills
The Government has announced a consultation into Deeds of Variation, arguing the process can be used to wrongly avoid tax. They have been deemed controversial by some, however solicitors and financial planners argue it’s a valuable policy that can be used to correct mistakes and ensure the straightforward handling of estates between families. What are […]
Dying Matters: are you talking about dying, death and bereavement?
This week between 18th and 24th May 2015, Dying Matters is running its sixth annual Dying Matters Awareness Week. The aim of the week is to get as many people as possible talking about death, dying, bereavement and end of life plans. The theme of the week is ‘Talk, Plan, Live’ and the Twitter hashtag […]
Will Deeds of Variation survive the new government?
The government has recently announced a consultation into Deeds of Variation over state concerns that the process can be used to wrongly avoid tax. Deeds of variation have been a longstanding legal device to correct perceived mistakes and out dated clauses within wills. However, they have become scrutinised more and more within recent years for […]
Live for today and not tomorrow?
According to recent reports, traditional inheritances are ‘dying out’ and allegedly half of those in retirement are giving a ‘living inheritance’ before they die. A study found pensioners today are keener on seeing their relatives enjoy it while also escaping inheritance taxes. With people living longer, this way they are less likely to have a […]
Get ready for Will Aid 2015
For over 25 years, Will Aid has been bridging the gap between solicitors and charities in order to encourage people across the UK to write a will, as well as leave a legacy that will have a positive impact on current and future generations. Since its launch, Will Aid has been the driving force behind 245,000 […]
Will they, or won’t they?
Vitality UK have been holding Adviser Forums this week between 16th and 20th March – did any of you take part and were they a useful networking strategy for the wills and probate industry? Some very powerful messages at @Vitality_UK adviser forum yesterday. Specifically surrounding Care Costs and estate planning. – Hammond BP (@Hammond_BP) March […]
Why is creating a will so important?
As part of their 2015 marketing strategy, The Society of Will Writers have created a second video, surrounding consumer protection in the will writing industry. This follows a meeting between the Legal Services Board (LSB) and the representative bodies of the industry, where best practice regarding both consumer and professional education was discussed. As a […]
Is your client making the right financial choices?
Will writing and estate planning aren’t simply about what will happen when someone passes away. All lifestyle choices and financial decisions for later life are also an inherent part of the entire process. Essentially if a person fails to document what will happen with their estate should they be no longer around, the decision making […]
Don’t forget the “little” things
As a wills and probate professional, you will be well versed in planning what will happen to your clients’ estates — bequeathment of residential property, bank accounts, and high-value investments. However do you always consider what will happen with everything else, such as the pictures on the walls, old furniture, or even the set of […]
7 years too late
When preparing and dealing with probate cases, full disclosure of all assets is paramount as you will be aware. Failure to do so can result in hefty fines from HMRC. An example of such a case of recent is one that focused on the matter of a beneficiary failing to declare gifts received in the […]
Where there’s a Will there’s a way
Kings Court Trust (KCT) recently reported on a case of theirs, whereby a will was purposely destroyed by a family member — which raises interesting questions surrounding those particular circumstances. As a wills and probate professional, you may well be aware of or have even dealt with such a situation yourself. Within the reporting, the […]
Enhance your will writing service
It is widely speculated amongst will writing professionals about what advice should be given when writing a will for a client. As there are many aspects to consider when planning for the future, including estate planning and financial aspects, how can you ensure your clients are being supported with the best advice? Profile Financial Solutions […]
Cohabitants – Would you leave your legacy to chance?
It is a tormenting fact that only 17% of cohabitants in the UK have made a will. The research provided by The National Consumer Council is of severe concern as many families are being left with the emotional and financial hardships of dealing with a loved one’s estate as it passes through the Rules of […]
Financial planning for retirement – the earlier the better say experts
Pensions and investments are an integral part of the wills and probate process, and plans consumers make in early adulthood can greatly affect not only their own income after retirement, but also what they leave behind. It is crucial for all adults within the UK to be aware of the trials and tribulations of their […]
It’s up to wills and probate professionals to save lives in winter
Christmas is usually a time for celebration, but for some it only brings dread as the cold season kicks in. This week alone there are expected to be over 2,500 additional deaths as a direct effect of the drop in temperatures, according to health officials. Wills and probate professionals should fully prepare and safeguard their […]
Autumn Statement 2014 – what wills and probate professionals need to know
Last week brought a few welcome changes for the wills and probate industry, with taxing alterations being applied to ISAs, pensions and trusts. What does this mean for probate professionals and are there any stipulations or financial implications for clients? Previously when a person died, their spouse was unable to inherit the tax-free benefits of […]
