Wills
Top 10 mistakes clients make about wills, and how we can put them right
Of course, one of the biggest mistakes anyone can make is dying without a Will, and it’s a sad fact of modern life that more than two-thirds of people in the UK don’t have one. However, even where there’s a Will in place, mistakes or oversights can be made, and it’s more important than ever ....
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Ashes to ashes… and where you can scatter them
While many of us grew up thinking of burial as the way in which we say farewell to the deceased, statistics from the Cremation Society of Great Britain show that around 75 per cent of people are now choosing cremation rather than burial. Deciding what to do with the ashes In the 1970s, onl....
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Making mirror wills – will your wishes be fully reflected?
If you and your partner share the same plan for what happens to your estate after each of you has passed away, then mirror wills can work for you. Basically, mirror wills are two separate wills made at the same time, naming the same beneficiaries. Often, the only difference between them is the name ....
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The Skripal case – unravelling the unusual and challenging mental capacity issues
Over recent weeks, the twists and turns in this high-profile case have made daily media headlines. The events that unfolded on a bench in a park in Salisbury rapidly became first a national and then an international political issue, as Colonel Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, were hospitalise....
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Six lesser-known ways to reduce Inheritance Tax you may not have considered, but really should
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is one of the most controversial taxes in the UK, so it’s little wonder that families are looking for ways to reduce the likely bill. So, if you’ve used up your annual exemptions, made gifts to individuals, given money to the bride or groom, plan to outlive your lifetime....
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Will my funeral wishes be respected?
If you’d like to be cremated or have an eco-burial, or want your favourite piece of music or a special poem to be used at your funeral, it’s important to leave instructions for your Executor, and ensure you make your wishes known to friends and family members. As the law currently stands, itâ....
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My aunt died and left everything to me in her Will, so why are the bank asking for probate?
It's good news that your aunt took the important step of making a Will, as this makes the administration of the estate much more straightforward. In making her Will, your aunt will have appointed someone to act as her Executor. There may be more than one Executor, and they will be named in the Will.....
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If I lost mental capacity, could my husband just deal with everything on my behalf?
This is a question that we often get asked. Many people automatically assume that if there came a time when they lacked mental capacity, then their husband, family member or friend could simply step in and act on their behalf. However, this isn’t the case. By 2021, the Alzheimer’s Society pre....
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Common Law Spouses
We're not married, but we've been together for 25 years. When I die will my partner inherit? Many people believe that there is a 'common-law spouse' status in UK law, but in fact this is a myth and doesn't exist. So, when one partner in a cohabiting couple dies without leaving a valid Will,....
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