Following the announcement that funeral plans will become regulated from 29th July, experts predict that the emergence of pre-paid probate plans will be the next major product to dominate the unregulated marketplace. In recent news
New figures show that HMCTS efforts to reduce backlogs in the probate service are being affected by increasing volumes of probate applications. January HMCTS figures have revealed that the number of probate applications being made
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) have released new guidance to tackle common and repeated mistakes seen in the aftercare of patients receiving support under
It is widely reported that the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) has been suffering from Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) registration delays for some time now. But while the OPG has acknowledged the delays and
New analysis reveals 450,000 homeowners in England and Wales are at risk of becoming mortgage prisoners because their leases have run down to less than 75 years, the crucial threshold for mortgage finance, including lifetime
Today’s Wills and Probate and the wider Today’s Media team would like to wish you all a wonderful and restful Easter break! We’ll be back on Tuesday with daily updates.
Following consultation on the future of post six-year run-off cover, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that it will seek a further 12-month extension to the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) – to September 2023
Pensioners and their loved ones are being urged to take-up Pension Credit, as a new government campaign is launched to help those of pension age with the cost of living. Starting this month, advertising for
Requests for personal information can now be made through a new digital service. A new digital service allowing individuals to request personal information is now available which aims to improve the user experience for subject
Latest research from abrdn reveals that two-thirds of those planning to retire this year will work part-time to keep up with the rising cost of living. The research, which surveyed 2,000 Brits showed that many
A post-Covid rise in disputed wills has led to warnings from experts that complex probate should be left to the experts. Contested probate cases in England and Wales rose in 2019 and 2020, when there
The Equity Release Council has announced that the option for borrowers to make penalty-free partial repayments, will become a fifth “standard feature” for all equity release providers, with immediate effect. Introduced on Wednesday 28th March,
The state pension is expected to reach over £200 per week in 2024. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement revealed that little help will be on offer for pensioners when the state pension rises by 3.1%
Boutique law firm, Hugh Jones Solicitors, has announced leadership changes to implement the next phase of its strategic journey. The Manchester-based Court of Protection and private client niche firm has appointed Liz Hughes to managing
Legal and professional services firm Knights has completed acquisition of Langleys Solicitors of York and Lincoln, in a deal worth £11.5 million. As one of the most well-known and substantial legal practices in York, Knights
Research commissioned by SFE has revealed that almost half (47%) of brits who have a will haven’t updated it for more than five years, meaning nearly half of wills in the UK are likely to
The government is consulting on the proposed changes to the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) Code of Practice, which includes guidance on the new Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) system. The consultation is also seeking views
The latest flexible payments from pensions data has been released Commentary for Personal and Stakeholder Pension Statistics: September 2021 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Data shows that £8.3bn was flexibly withdrawn from pensions between April and December
Latest HMRC data reveals that IHT receipts for the period April 2021 to February 2022 now stand at £5.5bn; £0.7bn higher than the same period last year. In its latest report HMRC has also explained
Solicitors in England and Wales will mark the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, which challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “I am pleased to mark the start
News the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has agreed to change their guidance on the need to have express provision for the management of investments via a discretionary investment provider within a financial Lasting
The Institute of Legacy Management has announced details of its Annual Conference in association with Bates Wells on 6 May 2022. The conference will include the usual topical mix of news, views and discussion, in
A consultation on the legal aid means test was launched by the UK government earlier this week (15 March). The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed the proposals to expand legal aid eligibility,
According to the latest IRN Research report, UK Wills, Probate & Trusts Market 2022: Market Trends, the wills, trusts and probate market passed the £2.0 bn mark for the first time in 2021, and although
Public appetite for legacy giving has hit a new height with almost one in five UK charity donors choosing to leave a gift in their Will (19%), up from 14% in 2013. A further 10%
Women in Wills, in partnership with Today’s Media, has been a recognised platform for championing and supporting women in the sector since it was first founded just a few years ago. So what better day
Law firm JMW Solicitors has seen a circa 72% rise in Inheritance Act claims in 2021 as relatives quarrel over much smaller sums of money. Partner Alison Parry has warned of the need to take
Today’s Wills and Probate has a new look! The website and newsletter have been redesigned and launched this week as part of the wider rebranding of Today’s Media and its publications. Alongside Today’s Conveyancer and
From 29 July 2022, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) will regulate funeral plan providers, following a change in the law. Despite the announcement by the FCA however, over 40% of previous providers are yet to
The Diversity and Inclusion Panel has launched a survey on behalf of the Institute of Paralegals to inform research and enable a greater understanding of the make-up of non-regulated legal service providers in the UK.
New research from wealth manager Charles Stanley reveals that advisers are faced with providing a growing “always-on” service as clients demand more support outside of the traditional 9-5. The research shows that a third (33%)
A court ruling over an inheritance dispute between aristocratic pop singer Bo Bruce (Lady Catherine Anna Brudenell-Bruce) and her brother Thomas (Viscount Savernake) has been announced, deciding the outcome of their £2 million inheritance, almost