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A new feature contained within Apple’s latest software update is set to pave the way for access to certain digital assets after death. Users of Apple devices equipped with iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, and macOS
It has been revealed that more than 1,000 boxes of wills and deeds are yet to be claimed from those Metamorph firms that were shut down last year following intervention by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Irwin Mitchell has expanded its national private client team with a series of senior hires in Birmingham, beginning with Ian Bond TEP from Thursfields. The firm, which has the 2nd largest private client team in
The Powers of Attorney Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons last week, and with it the contents of the Bill was revealed. Brought by Conservative MP Stephen Metcalfe, the Bill is
The government has launched a consultation seeking views on its plan for the UK to become a Contracting State to Hague 2019 by ratifying it and implementing it into domestic law. Hague 2019 sets out
Tech-enabled probate, modernised LPAs, digital assets, and more – what is on the wills and probate industry’s agenda for 2023? Here are the thoughts of several key voices on what to expect. What area of
The number of Last Power of Attorney (LPA) registrations in England and Wales is continuing to soar, new data released by the Ministry of Justice has revealed. In July to September 2022, there were 201,121
A firm has lost its appeal in the High Court after a Costs Judge ruled a solicitor cannot charge for work done in his role as executor due to a missing charging clause. The solicitor,
Today’s Family Lawyer, the leading source of daily news and information for family lawyers in England and Wales, is pleased to announce it is hosting a small conference focused on cohabitation law reform on 1st
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) could be in store for a “record-breaking year” of inheritance tax (IHT) receipts as their take soared once again in November. Total receipts for April 2022 to November 2022 are
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it is intervening into a further two firms owned by legal consortium Metamorph. Knowles Benning LLP Knight Polson Ltd The two firms are also owned by Metamorph Group
Delays continued to torment the probate process during October as the wait times seen in September showed few signs of improvement – especially with regards to digital applications. Specifically, the average total time taken from
A new report has suggested a rewriting of the inheritance tax (IHT) rules which currently treat pensions “extremely favourably”. Under proposals put forward by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), pension pots should be included
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed it is intervening into four firms owned by legal consortium Metamorph. The intervention is deemed necessary by the SRA to “protect the interests of clients and former clients
A new study has suggested professional defined benefit (DB) pension schemes may be facing something of a “recruitment crisis” as two in five trustees plan to step down within a year. The research, which comes
New research has revealed that the number of applications to register a power of attorney (POA) in England and Wales has continued to soar in spite of worsening delays at the Office of the Public
According to a new report, charitable bequests are set to remain a “resilient source of income” in spite of any recessionary squeeze on people’s budgets. According to Legacy Foresight data included in the UK Wills,
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has called for a more consistent approach to tackling economic crime, throwing its support behind the “regulatory objective” proposed in section 155 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill.
A new survey has revealed over half (54%) of people are still turning to a solicitor or law firm to prepare their will. On the other hand, less than a quarter (23%) are utilising a
New data has shown the area of contentious wills, trusts, and probate has grown to such an extent over the last four years that the number of law firms offering advice on these issues has
New data has revealed the wills, trusts, and probate market is set to continue its encouraging growth over the next several years. IRN Legal Reports’ UK Wills, Probate & Trusts Market 2022 report revealed that,
End-of-life admin service Settld has launched a new pre-death preparation package aimed at individuals and families who want to get their affairs in order. Settld has joined forces with various partners to deliver a Get
National legal network QualitySolicitors (Quality Solicitors Organisation Limited) has announced a management buy-out (MBO) from previous owners Metamorph Group Limited. Victoria Browning and Paul Rawson head up the new management structure and suggest they have
New research has suggested that the state pension is a divisive topic amongst the UK’s population, with different age groups holding somewhat opposed views on the suitability of the state pension in its current form.
New research has suggested investment, pensions, and wealth management firms still have a poor understanding of the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) upcoming Consumer Duty regulations. With just nine months until current products and services must
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) received a further £0.6 billion in inheritance tax (IHT) receipts during October, new data has revealed. The total take for the tax year to date now sits at a striking
New research from Barclays has suggested nearly a third of millennials are willing to forgo their inheritance to see their parents focus on funding a comfortable retirement. Their study of 4,000 40-year-old millennials in the
Three prominent estate planning membership organisations have come together with the aim of creating a “louder, joined-up voice to represent the sector”. The Society of Will Writers (SWW), the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW), and
A recent case heard in the Court of Protection has offered a stark reminder that clear consent for one’s gametes to be retrieved is paramount – a simple desire to be a parent will not
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt has confirmed inheritance tax (IHT) will remain frozen as part of his Autumn Statement, while the triple-lock on pensions will also remain in place. The planned cap on care
The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC) has announced a freeze on its application fees, licence fees, and regulatory fee rates for the coming year. This comes after the regulator ran an open consultation over the
New data from HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) has revealed that probate delays are continuing to grow for digital, paper, stopped, and not stopped applications. The average total time taken from submission to grant