The Legal Services Board (LSB) is encouraging more legal services regulators to promote the uptake of Blockchain technology by regulated firms. Research conducted by the LSB has found that only 2% of legal service providers
The Law Society’s Excellence in Law Awards 2019 took place this week with a number of private client law firms being recognised for the quality of the legal services they provide to their clients. A
Over a third of disabled people with a named legal issue over the past four years refused to utilise professional help. New research suggests that solicitors and law firms need to do more to ensure
A woman in Norfolk has been convicted of fraud after failing to inform the Department for Work and Pensions of the inheritance she received whilst claiming benefits. People work hard throughout their lives to accumulate
Attendees stayed attentive throughout Today’s Wills and Probate’s inaugural Seminar looking at Preparing for Future Success at the Belfry Hotel and Resort in Birmingham. It was held on the 5th anniversary of the publication and
The saga of the Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order 2018 has finally drawn to a close after the Justice Secretary announced the immediate withdrawal of the proposals at the weekend. The Order would have introduced probate
It is officially Today’s Wills and Probate’s fifth birthday! Having launched the publication on 12th October 2014 with aspirations of providing up to date news in the Wills and probate sector, we are delighted that
The backlog in probate delays is decreasing with the number of approved grants for probate applications returning to average levels in the last three months. Even though the probate registry is struggling to swim against
Many estates could be entitled to significant inheritance tax rebates if the property market continues to contract and property prices continue to fall. The economy is worrying for many as political uncertainty continues to destabilise
The number of trusts and estates fell for the fourth consecutive year in 2017/18 to 149,500. This represents a 29% drop in the past 12 years since the 220,500 trusts and estates recorded in 2005/06,
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled that Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament was unlawful. Following that decision, Parliament swiftly resumed business as usual which meant Parliamentary Orders and Notices that were suspended now
Emails claiming to be sent from a law firm in regards to an inheritance issue have been sent to the public as email fraud becomes an ever increasing threat to legal service professionals. Over two
An attorney entrusted with settling the financial affairs of two people she had known for over 20 years has been jailed for abusing her position and stealing over £75,000 between 2013 and 2017. Monica Bailey
Legal professionals are now able to access probate services online. From the start of October, HM Courts and Tribunals service have increased the online access for legal professionals to make applications for probate, intestacy or
On average, 1,760 older homeowners per month or 406 older homeowners every week are being forced to sell their homes to fund their social care costs. According to new research by Independent Age, 21,120 homes
Three siblings, orphaned after losing both their father and mother between 2010 and 2016, have won a High Court ruling which will protect £112,000 of their trust from the clutches of inheritance tax. Following the
At least two fifths of all UK estates are being forced to complete burdensome tax notification forms after the death of a loved one despite only a fraction of all UK estates being liable to
In recent years, legal technology has grown exponentially with AI integrations, automated services, fully online legal services and the increase in electronic signatures changing the way consumers receive legal services. Whilst technology is widening the
A diverse set of suggested reforms into legal services will look to increase the role of the Legal Ombudsman (LeO), widen the forms of regulatory entry to include unregulated practitioners and rethink reserved legal activities.
Less than a quarter of those entitled to a claim a refund from the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) refund scheme have been refunded their over payment. Up to 16th September, the Office of the
Almost a quarter of home owners are planning to use the equity in their homes to fund their care costs in later life. 24% of unretired homeowners would prefer to use the equity in their
The Practical Vision Network is proud to announce the appointment of Robert Sanderson, as Managing Director of the Group. The acquisition of Robert undoubtedly strengthens the senior leadership team and highlights the exciting journey the
A solicitor has been struck off the roll of solicitors for failing to properly advise his clients after a number of them collectively bequeathed him in excess of £400,000 over a four-year period. Between January
The Co-operative Groups interim results for the opening half of 2019 highlight significant growth despite the fall in Funeral revenue. Between January and June 2019, the Co-op’s Funeral and Life Planning sales fell by 6%
The Non-Contentious Probate Fees Order has officially lapsed. It means that the current fixed fee of £215, or £155 when a solicitor is used, will not be replaced with a sliding scale rising to £6,000
Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party has announced its first manifesto pledge, beyond anything Brexit related, this week. Richard Tice, the Brexit Party’s Chairman, promised to abolish inheritance tax in its entirety. The Chairman of the Party
Legal service users anxious over their probate or social security and child support services (SSCS) can now get immediate access to support according to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). Throughout 2019, the MoJ has been
Electronic signatures are legal binding, including in situations where there is a statutory requirement for a signature. According to the Law Commission, electronic signatures can be used in most cases, including where there is a
Research has found that families who struggle with funeral costs are taking on an average of £1,990 debt to pay for them, as the price of funerals increases again. Royal London have published a National
Half of the UK’s adult population are getting their affairs in order and making a Will. According to the charity, Will Aid, 50% of the survey’s respondents over the age of 18 claimed to have
A Bitcoin prospector, who became a billionaire following his involvement in cryptocurrency during the early stages of its life, has been forced to pay $5 billion to his deceased business partner’s estate. Craig Wright, self-proclaimed
The second largest global insurance broker, Aon, announced their partial withdrawal from the Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) market this summer leading many to speculate on the future of the insurance market for solicitors. Aon’s Maven