The recent case of Wales v Dixon 2020 highlights the importance of giving clear instructions when making a Will to ensure that your wishes are carried out following death and it is clear who inherits your estate. Helen Gowin, Head of Estate Administration at SAS Daniels LLP outlines the case. Mr Wales died in 2015… Read more »
Common sense would suggest that there will probably be a spike in contentious probate disputes following the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the higher numbers of deaths than usual. Research suggests that, in light of the Government’s social distancing rules, many people may have written a Will and had it witnessed ‘remotely’. Section 9 of the Wills… Read more »
It is commonly known that if you give away assets in your lifetime, you must survive 7 years before the gift falls outside your estate and would qualify for inheritance tax exemption. A less well-known relief allows you to make regular gifts, provided it is out of your surplus income, which would not fall within… Read more »
Ageing Well Without Children (AWWOC) was launched to provide advice and guidance to those who are concerned about growing older without children, whilst also helping with the tasks that become increasingly difficult as we age. Whilst having children is certainly no guarantee that they will be able to (or, in some cases, want to) provide… Read more »
Justine Clowes, Partner and Head of the Private Client Group, uses a real-life case study to demonstrate the importance of a lasting power of attorney, and why you shouldn’t leave one until it becomes too late as it may not be enforceable once the donor has become mentally incapable. A year or so ago, Mr… Read more »
If you own a property with other people, the way you own it together will be important no more so when one of the owners dies. If there is a mortgage on the property, further complications may arise as to who takes over the debt. A property can be owned jointly – either as joint… Read more »
Failure to plan for death can have catastrophic consequences for a spouse or partner, both emotionally and financially, which go far beyond what the deceased may have intended to happen. The remedy for the family left with no protection due to the deceased not writing a Will, would be that they are forced to apply… Read more »
It comes as no surprise that siblings have an expectation to be treated equally in life. This is also the case when considering leaving gifts in your Will and gifts that are given to children during your lifetime. Helen Kelly, Head of our Trusts team, discusses the lifetime gifts and the double portions rule in… Read more »
Personal belongings (or ‘chattels’) can be the centre of a dispute between family members when someone dies. Often the monetary value of these items is minimal, but the sentimental value is very important to your loved ones, and can lead to disappointed beneficiaries spending lots of time and money on attempting to obtain personal chattels… Read more »
Vicky Timothy, Senior Associate Solicitor in our Private Client team, outlines the main benefits of Wills for business owners and, also, some of the risks you may wish to avoid if you die intestate (without a Will in place). There are many reasons why business owners should ensure that they have a Will in place…. Read more »
