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 […]
Increased completion will lead to reduced probate fees, according to experts
It’s been reported that a higher level of completion within probate could significantly reduce costs consumers, according to industry specialists. Ronnie Wayte, Chief Executive of probate service provider Golden Charter, claims the current £870 million a year spent on settling estates falls within the hands of the probate practitioners. He says professionals need to increase […]
Top 5 ways to keep your wills and probate clients happy
The legal sector, particularly when it involves estate planning, invites a multitude of complications and a vast array of rules, regulations and requirements that can become frustrating to consumers. At Today’s Wills and Probate, we’re delving into the trials and tribulations of wills and probate and have formulated the best ways to handle angry clients. […]
Mortgage debt repayments inhibiting older people’s investments
Those who are inheriting what is given to them in a will could be left with more than they bargained for, according to a study carried out by Saga. Nearly one million homeowners are now reportedly still making mortgage repayments, beyond the age of 70. Though retirement and later life should be a time to […]
Guidance on lasting powers of attorney
Having established a loyal client base, or even if you’re developing new connections, providing quality and trusted advice to consumers gives them the peace of mind that their affairs are taken care of. Being appointed a position within a Lasting Power of Attorney is certainly something your clients could consider. When offering guidance on Lasting […]
Are your clients’ wills up to date?
Research conducted by will registration service provider, Wills & Assets, suggests that if wills aren’t kept up to date, it could cost beneficiaries tens of thousands of pounds in lost assets. According to this recent study, around 175,000 people in Britain experience trouble when acquiring inheritance, as a direct result of a will being out […]
Discover a whole new way of reaching out to prospective will writing clients
Today marks the launch of a brand new course “Get more customers — Grow your business” – brought to you by The Society of Will Writers. This new addition to the society’s CPD programme will give you innovative tips and tricks to help expand your wills and probate business using the power of marketing. There […]
Reconnecting assets with their rightful owners
According to current reports, the search is on for over 73,000 people who have not yet claimed their share of Standard Life’s £113 million, following the society’s stock market flotation in 2006. At the time, approximately 2.4 million policy holders were entitled to cash or shares, of which approximately 280,000 failed to claim their designated […]
Reconnecting assets with their rightful owners
According to current reports, the search is on for over 73,000 people who have not yet claimed their share of Standard Life’s £113 million, following the society’s stock market flotation in 2006. At the time, approximately 2.4 million policy holders were entitled to cash or shares, of which approximately 280,000 failed to claim their designated […]
Guidance on trust corporations
Trust corporations are businesses or individual professionals that undertake the administration of trusts and estates and also have the power to act as Court of Protection deputy and attorney. This type of corporation was originally led by banks, or law firms with large private client units. However, newly established businesses within the legal sector are […]
Guidance for gifting in wills
It is always imperative to follow compliance guidelines and legislation when preparing a will with a client, in particular the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) Code of Conduct 2011. However, if the client wishes to leave a gift to you or someone who is closely associated with you, there are safeguards you can put in place […]
Should will writing be a reserved activity?
The Legal Ombudsman has called for the Government to work together with wills and probate regulators and representative bodies, to tackle the issue of sub-standard service within the industry. Only 13% of the 8,000 wills and probate complaints received by the ombudsman were resolved in 2013. These were primarily complaints regarding costing, delays, and failure […]
Why it’s important for parents to write a will
Establishing and updating a will is important for all, but especially for new and existing parents. Client’s should be made aware having a will ensures their children have security for the future, and plans can be set in place to make sure affairs are taken care of after their death. Those with children need to […]
The IHT Waiting Game
In a conference at the Age UK headquarters last week, David Cameron showed great support towards raising the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold in an attempt to help benefit the typical middle class families. As it stands, the plan is to raise the threshold in which consumers pay the 40% IHT to a level of £1 […]
Probate cases resolved through Certainty Will Search
90% of PII providers would recommend Certainty Will Register as an effective form of risk management. There are many wills and probate professionals who use Certainty across the UK to register and search for wills. It’s said to be an extremely effective way to safeguard a will and reduce issues that arise following a client’s […]
