Category: Wills, Probate & Powers of Attorney

There have been a number of changes in regard to marriage law and marriage status since 2004, with the most recent being the introduction of opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2019.  These changes have been important in providing clarity over legal rights and financial security when one of the couple dies. Meanwhile, despite ongoing campaigns, couples

While the specific terms of any will are up to the individual who makes it, after they have died there may be circumstances where those left behind wish to pass their gift to someone else. “Beneficiaries don’t have to accept their inheritance, whether under a will or under the terms of intestacy,” says Jack Haskew,

While financial assets can be divided relatively easily when settling an estate, this is not usually possible with heirlooms such as a painting, a piece of furniture or individual pieces of jewellery. Even if items are not valuable, such items may be the cause of a dispute between siblings who have set their heart on

Acting as an executor means you are responsible for reporting the value of the estate and declaring any inheritance tax due, so it is important to make sure you follow the correct procedures. “Since January 2022, new rules have applied in respect of reporting inheritance tax,” says Jack Haskew, Head of the Private Client team

Whether the beneficiary of an estate is entitled to inherit a small personal item, a share or even the majority of the assets of the person who died, it can be a stressful time for them while they wait for probate to come through. Delays at the probate office are outside your control, but if

When dealing with the administration of an estate, distributing the gifts is one of the final stages. It is important the executors do not make distributions too soon, to protect themselves and the estate against debts or claims. Executors are advised not to pay out gifts before obtaining the Grant of Probate as time limits

Three children have won a share of their father’s £700,000 estate after a hard-fought case that reached the High Court in London, reports Stephanie Mends (pictured) of our Private Client team. The siblings took action when their father Kenneth Grizzle died and they found they were excluded from his will. They told the court he was