Read our wills and probate blog posts from the Taylor&Emmet probate team.
A long-standing court battle between a number of charities and a daughter who had been left out of her mother’s Will has finally concluded, following a judgment of the Supreme Court which overturned the Court of Appeal’s previous decision and re-instated the original Judge’s decision. Some 13 years after the Read more…
It takes chutzpah – and dubious morals – to call someone up, announce the existence of a distant relative, then reveal a sizable inheritance, which you’re going to make sure they don’t see. We all know scammers exist. I’m sure you’ve received an email from long lost uncle Tom in Read more…
According to recent media reports, the cost of care home fees increased 5.6% last year to an average of £30,000 per annum. That’s ten times the rise in pensioners’ income in the same period. Care home fee planning is a huge growth area for probate solicitors like me, as people Read more…
Get ready for new residence nil rate band Last year, the government announced an additional inheritance tax break for couples who own property that was once their main residence, even if they no longer live there. This new legislation comes into effect on April 6 2017 and if you have Read more…
Recent media reports have highlighted the sharp rise in people making Lasting Powers of Attorney and the prolonged time it takes the Office of the Public Guardian to register them. These legal documents set out your wishes in the event you lose mental capacity, in respect of financial and medical Read more…
If a loved one dies with assets of more than £5,000, you have to apply for what is known as a Grant of Probate, which enables you to collect in the deceased’s assets and distribute the estate. Currently, the Probate Registry charges a fee for this service of £155 for Read more…
The sad passing of two entertainment greats, David Bowie and Sir Terry Wogan, has drawn into question an individual’s right to die as they wish. While their differences are many, both battled cancer privately and with dignity. They also shared a desire to organise and orchestrate how their deaths should Read more…
It was saddening to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing away of frontman legend Lemmy of classic rock band Motorhead. It is estimated that Lemmy’s estate is worth at least 6.75 million and will continue to receive royalties from the bands record sales also. There is yet to be Read more…
You may have seen in the news this week a story about a Court of Appeal decision given in the case of Watts v Watts, which left one of the two children of Valerie Watts facing a bill for £340,000 from his sister’s solicitors. The decision handed down by the Court of Appeal on Read more…
Old Mutual Wealth has highlighted a potential, unintended consequence of the recent changes to Pension rules. Around 20 years ago Pension Earmarking was introduced into our divorce laws. This gave the courts the power to order that a divorcee would receive a fixed percentage share of their ex spouse’s pension Read more…