Digital vault launches offering ‘value-add’ service for will writers
A new digital platform which says it will give will writers and estate planners a way to support clients and reduce future administration challenges has been launched. SmartOnion is a UK-based subscription platform which stores pension details, insurance policies, bank accounts, investment records and share certificates; as well as the panoply of estate planning documentation, […]
No timeline for unclaimed Estates list to be re-published
The Government Legal Department have said there is no timeline on when the Bona Vacantia list will be available again online on GOV.UK after it was taken down earlier this week. On Monday, the unclaimed Estates list published by the government was taken down following an expose detailing how fraudsters are exploiting gaps in the […]
Ombudsman to publish more examples of complaints failings in drive for greater transparency
Efforts to help the legal sector better understand the role of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) and provide insight into their decisions are to be redoubled under a ‘renewed commitment to using statutory powers to publish final decisions where it is in the public interest to do so.’ The Legal Ombudsman, established in the wake of […]
High court rules will was forgery to disinherit daughter
A disputed will has been found to be a forgery in a high court decision after the death of Mr Monir Jaman Shaikh in April 2020 sparked a series of events which ultimately saw his only daughter disinherited. The case was brought by Mrs Mosammat Shapna Khatun whose father, Mr Shaikh, had apparently disinherited his […]
Unclaimed estates gov.uk page temporarily withdrawn
The Unclaimed estates page on the gov.uk website has been temporarily withdrawn, with a message simply stating “Due to an administrative issue we have temporarily removed the unclaimed Estates list from our website. Further details will follow as soon as possible.” Today’s Wills and Probate have reached out to the Government Legal Dept to enquire […]
Modernisation now in the hands of the profession – Law Commission
The modernisation of wills law is in the hands of the profession who should build on the momentum of the Law Commission’s report to ensure the proposals make their way into statute. In a presentation at TWP Festival the Law Commission’s Elizabeth Welch said that, if the profession agreed with the Law Commission’s bill and […]
Supreme Court rules tax planning asset transfer was not a matrimonial asset
The Supreme Court has ruled on a case concerning the transfer of assets for the purposes of estate planning in a landmark divorce case. Standish v Standish has been through the courts system with a decision this week at the Supreme Court ruling in favour of the husband who contended a transfer of assets pre-divorce, […]
Final week for British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 Entries
The deadline for entering the British Wills and Probate Awards 2025 is nearly upon us with just a week to go until entry closes on Friday 14th July. Firm then have a further week to curate and perfect their entry before the submission deadline the following Friday, 21st July 2025. Returning on 9th October 2025, […]
Trusts on the increase as sector awaits influx of estate planning enquiries
Trusts are playing a larger role in future estate planning in the wake of reforms which will bring pensions into scope for inheritance tax (IHT) from 2027… and the sector must be prepared for the ‘influx’ of enquiries for estate planning services expected. A survey conducted by Scottish law firm Brodies LLP of UK adults […]
Closing the advice gap and why support is needed
The FCA’s consultation marks a major step in addressing the advice gap. For the first time, there’s a detailed framework for how firms can offer meaningful support to consumers without crossing the line into regulated advice. It proposes a new regulated activity, called targeted support, and rightly acknowledges that the binary choice between generic guidance […]
Judicial review sought for IHT changes to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs
Farmers and business owners have instructed law firm Collyer Bristow to serve proceeding on the Chancellor of the Exchequer and HMRC for a Judicial Review of the government’s decision not to consult on the planned Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) changes; proceedings were served on 23 June 2025. The APR/BPR changes […]
MPs vote in favour of historic assisted dying bill
MPs have voted in favour of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill which would in certain circumstances legalise assisted dying in England and Wales. After some last minute concerns by those in favour of the cause, the bill passed with a majority of just 23 votes with 314 MPs voted for the bill […]
Wealth exodus could see chancellor roll back on non-dom tax changes
It has been reported Chancellor Rachel Reeves could roll back on plans to introduce inheritance tax (IHT) on the global assets of non-doms after an exodus of wealthy individuals from the ‘punitive’ UK tax regime. There is ‘mounting evidence’ the policy is driving the wealthy out of the UK. In April non-dom status with abolished […]
Red line for firms who make themselves executors of wills in new ratings system
A consumer awareness and comparison website has launched what is describes as independent ratings for online will writing services to tackle ‘growing concerns that the rise in DIY wills could lead to future disputes or even render wills invalid;’ levelling criticism at industry practices including Fairer Finance has launched a new set of product ratings for […]
HMRC tax avoidance consultation risks impacting work of legitimate tax advisers
The Law Society has slammed HMRC’s consultation into tackling tax avoidance schemes as ‘disproportionate and potentially ineffective’, affecting the work of legitimate tax advisers and introducing onerous levels of compliance and cost. The consultation, launched in March of this year, aims to tackle the promotion of schemes which actively promote tax avoidance. HMRC estimate they […]
Law Society ‘supports SRA’s focus on core responsibilities’ following Axiom Ince review
The Law Society of England and Wales has announced that it supports the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) reprioritisation of work and the emphasis placed on investing in its core functions in the 2025-2026 business plan and budget consultation. The SRA’s consultation, launched in May, aims to address the shortcomings highlighted in the independent review of […]
What celebrity wills teach us about getting it wrong
From Prince and Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse, when fame meets estate planning failure, the lessons can be far-reaching. When there’s no will: what happens when you leave it to the law? In 2016, legendary musician Prince died unexpectedly at the age of 57 from a fentanyl overdose. Despite amassing an estate valued at $156 […]
Ellisons earns prestigious platinum accreditation from STEP
Ellisons Solicitors has announced it has been awarded platinum accreditation under the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) Employer Partnership Programme; the highest level of recognition available through the scheme. The STEP Employer Partnership Programme recognises organisations that demonstrate ‘an exceptional commitment to developing their staff’s professional skills in trust and estate practice.’ The […]
New funerary methods to be reviewed by Law Commission
A new consultation by the Law Commission is to review new funerary methods as part of its wider work on Burial, Cremation and New Funerary Methods in its 13th programme of law reform. The consultation, which closes on 4th September, is asking for views on new funerary methods, acknowledging the only existing methods are burial, […]
Mother and Grandfather found guilty of laundering daughter’s £50,000 inheritance
Two grandchildren have been defrauded of a £50,000 inheritance after their mother was ‘annoyed’ at being left less after the death of the grandmother. Following a trial last year, a proceeds of crime hearing at Swansea Crown Court delivered a verdict of fraud by abuse of power against Katherine Hill (52) and her father Gerald […]
