Article Category: Personal & Family Law – Insight & Opinion

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 »

The great British public, long heralded as a nation of animal lovers, will frequently pamper their pooches and care for their cats in a variety of ways that may seem extravagant to some. With 49% of UK adults owning a pet and so many pets being a much-adored member of the family, it makes practical… Read more »

The Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) is an additional inheritance tax allowance which can be utilised by those who have a residential property and wish to leave this to their direct descendants. This includes children, grandchildren, stepchildren and even widows, widowers and civil partners of descendants in certain circumstances. On 6 April 2017, George Osborne… Read more »

A year or so ago Mr and Mrs Smith came to see me to enquire about a Lasting Power of Attorney. Mr Smith was sadly suffering from early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and as a result of her husband’s ill health, Mrs Smith had given up work to look after him. Following a drastic fall in their… Read more »

The High Court heard 368 probate dispute cases last year, up from 282 in 2017. It has been suggested that the reason for this increase is due to the growing popularity of DIY Wills. A DIY Will is one which has been made without professional advice, usually at home in someone’s own handwriting or using… Read more »

If you are concerned about the inheritance tax your family will have to pay and how much may go to the taxman, this article summarises various ways to reduce your inheritance tax bill when you are living. If you are a single person and your estate is worth over £325,000 or if you are married… Read more »

Contentious Probate Q&A My father has recently passed and I am the executor of his estate. He had a lot of personal effects, which my relatives are squabbling over. What should I do? These personal effects are called chattels. As executor, it is your duty to collect his personal effects and distribute them to the beneficiaries of… Read more »