Calculating the value of a deceased’s estate can seem daunting. Where do you start? What do you need to include? And what tax might be due to HMRC? At a time when you will be grief-stricken the added burden of dealing with the Probate for the deceased’s estate can be too much to handle. Knowing […]

When a loved one dies and you are named as the executor, there are several very important jobs for you to complete. It’s not uncommon for the executor to employ the services of a solicitor at this stage, especially as some of the jobs can be time consuming and stressful and at a time when […]

Once the Court has considered all the various relevant factors to an applicant’s 1975 Act claim, the Court could conclude that they believe that the Will or Intestacy Rules does make “reasonable financial provision” for the applicant, and the applicant could lose their claim (and potentially be liable for the other sides costs, as well as their […]

If you have been excluded from a Will then in most cases, the wishes of the deceased would remain unchallenged as, in most cases, the person who made the Will would have received adequate and appropriate legal advice at the time of making their Will. There are however certain situations whereby you can make a request for […]

Despite the principle of testamentary freedom which exists in England and Wales, under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (“1975 Act”), certain people connected to someone who dies (domicile in England or Wales) can still ask a Court to make an award in their favour, even if the deceased person left a […]

In most cases, the wishes of the deceased would remain unchallenged as, in most cases, the person who made the Will would have received adequate and appropriate legal advice at the time of making their Will. However, let’s say that a former spouse, child, or a cohabitee of a person who dies in England or […]

Mirror Wills aren’t right for everyone but if you are a couple, married or otherwise, and you are in agreement that upon your death your assets should be passed to the surviving partner then having Mirror Wills are a good and cost-effective way of ensuring that your partner is protected upon your death.  Furthermore, if you have children, then ensuring that both parents have […]

Being financially dependent on someone when they are alive, even if you are not named as a beneficiary in the deceased’s Will, can mean you could still be awarded something from the deceased’s estate. This has been made even more clear thanks to a recent settlement agreement between Kenny Goss, a former partner of George […]

When obtaining and paying for legal documents, it can seem to many as an unnecessary expense, and with the advent of online ‘quick Wills’ and standard pre-printed packs that can be bought from high street stores like WHSmiths, many people question why they should go to the expense of instructing a Solicitor. Many online Will services […]