Contentious probate cases are often highly charged and draining, both emotionally and financially. Given the fact that disputes often involve family members, loved ones or people clients know well, legal clashes can often be highly
The news that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) decided to abandon proposal plans to lower the levels of professional Indemnity cover (PII) was welcomed by the Law Society. Back in March 2018, the SRA proposed
HM Courts and Tribunals Services are set to streamline and reduce their face to face probate services. Following the statement regarding a centralised call centre for all probate practitioners released at the start of December,
The season of goodwill has fallen by the wayside within a feuding London family after a daughter has had her attempts to overturn her deceased mother’s Will rejected. Patricia Johnson contested the Will of her
The mortality rates in the third quarter of the year were statistically higher than the 2019 average. Between July and September this year there were 113,348 deaths registered in England. This figure represented 2,997 more
The Government has really put the Wills and probate sector through the ringer in 2019 with potential regulatory change evaporating at the last minute and technological and structural innovations collapsing an established system. At the
400,000 ‘lifetime homes’ are desperately needed to provide the elderly with accessible and appropriate accommodation. Lord Best, Chair of the Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, has suggested that a current lack
The average age for both mothers and fathers has increased for the past decade, with couples choosing the delay parenthood whilst crafting their careers. The average age of a UK father in England and Wales
The Law Society are urging the legal sector to embrace modernity by adapting to a more ‘deregulated environment, stronger commercial pressures and increasing adoption of technology.’ Employment in the legal sector is predicted to fall
The Solicitors Regulation Authority have published two scam alerts In the past week. The legal sector lost £731,250 in the opening half of 2019 to speculative and sophisticated fraudsters. Even outside the legal sector, Action
Despite HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) claiming the delays to probate applications have significantly improved and will be at an end by Christmas, many probate providers are still struggling with the aftermath and consequences
Bequests to charities have fallen in the third quarter of 2019 as the recent probate delays take hold on the sector. According to recent statistics obtained by Legacy Foresight, bequests to charities have fallen by
Following a Court of Appeal ruling, Hilary Harrison-Morgan has been forced to repay millions from an inheritance offered from ex-partner and cohabitant, Dr Rainer Kahrmann. Having left his Swiss wife in 1991, rich banker, Dr
Almost all law firms have admitted to having stored Wills that have not been called upon after the death of the testator. 98% of respondents in a recent National Will Register survey, carried out by
There were 23,200 excess winter deaths in England and Wales over the 2018/19 winter period. This figure represents the lowest recorded number of excess winter deaths since 2013/14, according to the latest data from the
Congratulations to Farewill for scooping three awards at the second prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards on 17th October 2019 at the esteemed Belfry Resort and Hotel. Farewill demonstrated their customer-centric, technology driven and innovative
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, has claimed social care is too important an issue to be politicised, so of course, it has become one of the main manifesto considerations of all political parties. During his recent
Financial security in later life is becoming increasingly uncertain with more than a third (35%) of the UK, over the age of 55-years-old, starting to live beyond their means. A quarter of respondents believe the
Congratulations to Karan Soni of Farewill for winning the title of ‘Young Practitioner of the Year’ at the second prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards on 17th October 2019 at the esteemed Belfry Resort and
A high-profile contentious probate case has once again emphasised the need for a detailed and up to date Will. The fiancée of millionaire businessman, Charles Caudle, has lost a court battle with her fiancée’s ex–wife
Industry experts have highlighted how changing generational attitudes could lead to an increase in freelance solicitors. Despite the adverse weather and severe flooding in recent days, a number of dedicated Wills and estate administration professionals
Legacy income for charities is set to rise by 4% over the next five years with charities set to receive legacy increases in excess of £650 million. Unfortunately, this increase in legacy income also coincides
A bereavement can be a difficult process to move through. When a person is asked to become the Personal Representative (PR) or executor of a deceased’s estate, it is imperative that all liabilities and assets
Congratulations to Purely Probate for winning ‘Probate Provider of the Year – small firms’ category at the second prestigious British Wills and Probate Awards on 17th October 2019 at the esteemed Belfry Resort and Hotel.
In the opening six months of 2019, law firms reported that £731,250 worth of client money was lost to cyber crime, prompting the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to deem cyber crime to be one of
The Equity Release Council has released a new set of updated industry standards aimed at ensuring higher levels of consumer protection. The Council has claimed the latest changes, which will take effect from the start
A Will writing director has been handed a two-year conditional discharge for ‘criminal incompetence.’ James Usher, company director of Wills and Trusts Warehouse Ltd in Warrington, was found guilty of taking client money to complete
Financial technology is revolutionising how we manage our personal finances. Easy access to an increasingly diverse range of financial services means our money is more widely distributed than ever before. While such diverse, and increasingly
Today’s Wills and Probate is excited to host the upcoming and final Roundtable event of 2019, sponsored by Executor Solutions, taking place on 12th November at Shakespeare Martineau in Milton Keynes. Past roundtable events have
What happens if your client discloses their reason for writing a will is to end their own life? When trapped between an ethical and legal juxtaposition of informing relevant parties and ensuring confidentiality, how should
DNA samples will be taken from a 76-year-old incapacitated man to determine the parentage of three adult children. An application, made on behalf of patient E by his deputy, Richard Bagguley, was approved by the
An Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) review has highlighted a deep issue of anti-money laundering non-compliance entrenched within the legal sector. Over a fifth of firms reviewed by the SRA have failed to create the required