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The UK Commission on Bereavement (UKCB) this week published the findings of its report on bereavement which aims to highlight the challenges facing bereaved people, consult with them, and to propose the necessary changes to
Conservative Treasury minister Andrew Griffith has revealed that he believes inheritance tax (IHT) should be “eliminated”. Speaking at a Conservative party conference event, Griffith said that, if he had the choice to abolish any one
The number of solicitors on the roll reached an all-time high in 2021, while record numbers of students graduated with law degrees, a new Law Society of England and Wales report has revealed. Resulting from
Legal profession looks to action, not words as it celebrates Black History Month The theme for Black History Month is “Time for Change: Action Not Words,” which will encourage people to improve the future by
Following on from the 1st September deadline for registering a trust with the Trust Registration Service (TRS), Today’s Wills and Probate can reveal that zero late registration penalties have been handed out by HM Revenue
As the perpetual war on economic crime continues to be waged, a new Bill introduced into the House of Commons on 22nd September could be set to offer much needed reinforcements to solicitors’ regulators. The
The latest data from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has revealed that inheritance tax (IHT) receipts remained sky-high in August. The take of roughly half a billion pounds in the period July – August alone
The total value of charitable estates in the UK could be set to reach a striking £20 billion before the end of 2022, according to new data. There have been 25,311 charitable estates processed by
The passing of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II rocked the United Kingdom to an extent rarely seen; her death, and the subsequent proceedings, was a national event of monumental significance. The significance of the
“Common law marriage” – a phrase bound to ring alarm bells in the mind of lawyers across the land. Yet, despite the best efforts of many, the myth persists – and the number of unmarried
The decision of Yvon Chouinard to give away his company, outdoor fashion brand Patagonia, to a charitable trust is the latest example of how trusts can be used for the public good, according to STEP
In conversation with Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Tribunal Judge Safia Iman Inspired by the centenary of Dr Ivy Williams, the first woman to be called to the Bar in England and Wales, the Courts
New proposals to reform the Arbitration Act 1996 were published on Thursday by the Law Commission in an attempt to make the Act “as effective and responsive as possible, following recent reforms by competing jurisdictions”.
As part of his mini-budget on Friday morning, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced that the Health and Social Care Levy on National Insurance (NI) contributions will be cancelled. As part of a move to reverse April’s
The Law Society of England and Wales has responded to a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) discussion paper on the future of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF), outlining three key principles for consumer protection in relation
HM Courts & Tribunals Service has released guidance on courts and tribunals arrangements for the funeral of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral. See the full guidance below. Most hearings will
Prepaid Probate Plans addresses industry’s concerns following concerned reaction to open letter to estate planning profession Prepaid Probate Plans Limited (PPP) has responded to the industry’s widely held concerns regarding pre-paid probate and its potential
The High Court has ruled that a widow’s “strained” relationship with the executors or trustees of her late husband’s will has no bearing on the reasonableness of the financial provisions made for her within said
The Best Foundation has launched a campaign to “challenge pre-paid probate”. Here’s what they had to say on the campaign, which is open to practitioners within the estate planning sector. Before pre-paid funeral
New analysis has suggested that the amount of wealth being released through equity release could pass £6.5 billion by 2025 after more than a decade of increasing popularity and growth. In 2011, UK homeowners released
Following the publication of Prepaid Probate Plans Limited’s open letter to the estate planning profession, Today’s Wills and Probate polled the thoughts of the industry on pre-paid probate and on the company’s plans. Here’s what
The Law Society of England and Wales has issued the below guidance for practitioners on how to trace a missing sole executor. I act on behalf of beneficiaries of an estate where a named solicitor
New research has revealed that legacy income has continued to grow at a rapid rate over the 12 months leading up to the end of June 2022. Quarterly results from Legacy Foresight’s Legacy Monitor have
New research has shown that over 55s received a striking £1 billion per day in increasing property values between the start of the pandemic and June 2022. Analysis of ONS statistics by financial services firm
Liz Truss, who officially became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom on Tuesday, has been urged to drop the “unaffordable” triple lock on pensions, with experts deeming the policy “unsustainably expensive”. Truss has previously stated
As the country mourns Queen Elizabeth II’s passing, Today’s Wills and Probate looked back at the development of the law and society during Her late Majesty’s glorious reign. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this
The crisis in the justice system should be lighting up the new justice minister’s inbox, the Law Society of England and Wales said on news Brandon Lewis has been appointed lord chancellor and secretary of
New research has shown that more people in the UK aged between 65 and 74 are still working compared to six years ago, and a fall in the number drawing their state pension. At a
The legal sector is a highly pressurised environment. For many who work within it, the time constraints and stress can have an impact on focus and efficiency. One solicitor provided Today’s Wills and Probate with
The following is an open letter to the estate planning profession, submitted to be published by Prepaid Probate Plans Ltd. We are Prepaid Probate Plans Ltd, newly formed and established in early 2022, to work
A record number of people in England and Wales are supporting charities with gifts in wills, says the Remember A Charity consortium, with one in five wills now reportedly including a donation to charity. 10,670
Liz Truss has been announced as the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Ms Truss was today declared as the winner of a contest for leadership of the Conservative Party between herself and Rishi