The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly forced many people to be confronted with the reality of life and death. It has made people aware of the importance of taking action in order to ensure that their own lives are in order, addressing legal loose ends that may have been previously put off, such as Wills, lasting… Read more »
What happens to data on a phone or device after someone dies? Helen Gowin, Partner, reports on a new service from Apple that enables loved ones to retrieve digital assets after death. Most people have a mobile phone or device and store their information in a cloud-based service. Their digital ‘assets’ may be a wide… Read more »
Planning for an unexpected death of a business owner is a sobering affair and may not be at the top of the list of priorities. However, putting in place some sensible arrangements could make things run more smoothly when family and business colleagues will be focused on grieving rather than sorting out some emergency measures… Read more »
If a mistake has been made in a Will, then an application can be made to the Court to rectify a Will under the Administration of Justice Act 1982. If the Court is satisfied that the mistake has been made because of a misunderstanding of instructions or a clerical error, then the Will can be… Read more »
When Powers of Attorney are in the spotlight, most people will think of Lasting Powers of Attorney and are not aware that there are actually many other types of Power of Attorney available. Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) were brought about in October 2007 by the Mental Capacity Act 2005, and, before that, we had… Read more »
During one of my recent client meetings, I asked my client who they would like to appoint as their beneficiaries in the event of a family tragedy. Subsequently, the client called me ‘Vicky Armageddon Timothy’ as, understandably, the thought of planning for a tragedy is not a nice one and one that is often disregarded…. Read more »
The documentary made by Kate Garraway titled “Finding Derek” aired recently and brought to light why having Lasting Powers of Attorney in place is crucial to protect yourself should an unexpected crisis occur. Justine Clowes, Partner and Head of Private Client Group, highlights the benefits of making a Lasting Power of Attorney and how this… Read more »
Earlier in the year, we discussed the Trust Registration Service (TRS) and the additional regulations that came into force on 6th October 2020 as a result of the Fifth Money Laundering Directive (5MLD). Recently, HMRC has announced that a deadline extension for the TRS will be implemented. It will be a requirement to register all… Read more »
In the months leading up to the Budget, several rumours were circulating about the changes that would be made this year. Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that inheritance tax and capital gains tax would remain the same, but what does this mean essentially and how does it impact making lifetime gifts and the value of your… Read more »
Putting property in a Trust is a great way to safeguard the property and avoid a lengthy and costly probate process on death. For the trustees who hold the property, it is important to consider any potential risk factors, your obligations and the health and wellbeing of the beneficiary residing in the property. There is… Read more »
