The House of Commons inquiry into the significant delays at the Probate Registry (HMCTS) in England and Wales has been halted by the General Election called for 4th July, while the issue continues to cause problems for bereaved families and charities. Navigating the process of probate—the legal process of administering Read more…
The recently published Cost of Dying 2024 report from SunLife suggests that funeral fees in the UK have reached a record high. The report advises that the cost of a basic funeral has increased by 4.7% from 2022 to 2023. Perhaps even more surprising is the rise in Public Health Read more…
It is estimated that the Court Funds Office are currently holding millions of pounds worth of historical unclaimed funds. Deadlines have now been imposed by the government to claim historical balances, if you believe you may be entitled to any unclaimed funds then you need to act fast. The government’s Read more…
The number of empty homes increased nationally in 2023. What impact do vacant properties have, and what can local authorities do to tackle the issues that they present? Figures released by the House of Commons Library towards the end of 2023 revealed that the number of long-term empty homes has Read more…
Fraud is an ongoing issue in today’s society and with a person’s property often being their most valuable asset, property fraud cases continue to be on the rise. It is important to recognise how the fraudsters attempt to scam people; whether your property might be at risk and ways to Read more…
On average, individuals will work for 11 different employers during their lifetime. Consequently, an individual may have several pensions over the course of their working lives and there is always a risk of these pensions becoming lost or forgotten about over time. Keeping track on your pension pot can therefore Read more…
Within the estate administration process, there can arise the complex situation whereby the deceased owned a property, but the deeds cannot be traced, and the deceased’s ownership has not been registered. This can be problematic as the property cannot be transferred or sold until the deeds are located or an Read more…
Administering a loved one’s estate is a huge responsibility. This month, Lucy Carrick discusses the process involved and how you can avoid unnecessary upset… What does administration of an estate involve? When administering an estate, you are responsible for identifying and valuing your loved one’s assets, including any property, bank Read more…