Category: Wills and Probate
When a loved one dies, you assume that all their property and assets will pass in line with either their Will or the Intestacy Rules but this is not always the case. Some jointly owned assets will automatically pass to the surviving co-owner, regardless of what the Will or Intestacy Rules say. Firstly we must […]
We would all like to make gifts to our loved ones and often people would prefer to make such gifts during their lifetime, rather than after their death, so that they can witness the recipient’s enjoyment of receiving the gift. Lifetime gifting can also be a very effective way of reducing the value of a […]
Not being able to find the Executor of a Will can be very frustrating for the beneficiaries, even more so if the appointed Executor is the sole Executor. This can lead to problems as, when someone dies, their Will becomes the property of the Estate and a firm of Solicitors, for example, will usually be […]
When someone loses mental capacity it can be an upsetting and difficult time for family and friends. This can be made even more difficult if the person who has lost mental capacity doesn’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney in place meaning that there is nobody with the authority to care for the individuals finances […]
As Private Client solicitors, one question we get asked repeatedly is whether you should gift your home to your children. This question usually stems from conversations in regard to inheritance tax and/or care home fees. Gifting your home to your children can be a great way to reduce tax liabilities and safeguard your most precious […]
Making a Will is an important job to do, and whilst making a Will, can provide comfort and protection, it can easily become out of date. Regularly reviewing and if necessary updating your Will is equally as important as making a Will in the first instance. Whether or not you need to update your Will […]
It is safe to say that when we consider including a beneficiary in our Will, we do so with the intention of wanting that person to benefit in some way from our estate when we have died. However, it is extremely important to consider the personal circumstances of your intended beneficiaries to ensure that your […]
The word probate is used to describe the process involved in dealing with the administration of a person’s estate when they have died. Probate can also be used to describe the legal document giving authority to the person or persons to administer the deceased’s estate. If there is a Will the document is called a Grant of […]
The recent case of Kenig v Thomson Snell & Passmore LLP as detailed in the Law Gazette further highlights the need for Solicitors to communicate with the Residuary Beneficiaries of an estate at the outset of the matter, to manage their expectations, and to assist in minimising the contact that they make with the firm. The Kenig v Thomson Snell & […]
