Article Category: Personal & Family Law – Insight & Opinion

During such an uncertain time, many people have sadly been confronted with the reality of life and death. It has forced people to take action in ensuring their own lives are in order, and many people have begun making Wills among other things including an advance decision. What Is an Advance Decision? A Living Will,… Read more »

What is Entrepreneurs’ Relief? Entrepreneurs’ Relief (ER) reduces the rate that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is paid, from 20% to 10%, when some or all of a business is sold. It is available to most individuals, qualifying beneficiaries and some trustees of settlements. However, this is subject to certain conditions including a lifetime limit of claims… Read more »

According to a recent poll conducted by Direct Line Insurance, a quarter of UK residents would contest a loved one’s Will if they were unhappy with the division of assets set. In 2018 alone, there was a 6% increase in people challenging probate applications and the most common reason for contesting a Will was found… Read more »

A group of MPs have called on the government to re-think Inheritance Tax (IHT) by removing almost all reliefs available, including the residence nil rate band (RNRB) which was introduced in April 2017. On 28th January 2020, the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Inheritance Tax and Intergenerational Fairness urged the government to consider an… Read more »

It is a common misunderstanding that in the event of a married individual dying without a Will, then their widow, widower or surviving civil partner would inherit everything. This is not always the case.  What Happens If You Die Without a Will? Anyone who dies without a will is said to have died ‘intestate’. The rules as to… Read more »

Many farmers want to pass their farm onto the next generation and to do so as tax efficiently as possible. It is therefore essential that farming families plan carefully for the future of the farm and their business interests, whilst thinking about their long-term aims carefully and with tax liabilities in mind. Farming Families and… Read more »

A new organisation AWWOC (Ageing Well Without Children) has been launched to provide advice and guidance to those who are concerned about growing older without children. Their aim is to provide information and support which people can turn to for help with the tasks that become increasingly difficult as we age. Whilst having children is… Read more »

It can be a daunting time for families placing a loved one into a care home, particularly in circumstances where that family member has lost the ability to make decisions for themselves. Aside from the health concerns that often bring about such a decision, there is the complex world of care fees to navigate. The… Read more »

If you have been appointed as an executor of a Will, you may feel duty-bound to take up that role. Perhaps a friend or family member has asked you to deal with their affairs once they have passed, entrusted you to sort matters out and you want to honour their wishes. You may have been appointed… Read more »

When someone passes away and leaves an estate bearing inheritance tax (IHT), there are deadlines for filing the Account and paying the tax due. In many cases, the tax is paid before the Grant of Probate is sent for application. However, if there is land in the estate, some of the tax can be paid… Read more »