The Probate Procedure Explained…
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Have you been named as executor in a Will and you’re not sure where to begin? Or would you just like some clarity on the probate procedure? Our Lucy Head has answered some commonly asked questions below… Do I need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration? When someone dies with a will, a […]
Gifting out of excess income to save on Inheritance Tax – are you making the most of your financial position?
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Due to the freeze on inheritance tax thresholds announced by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced in the Autumn Statement 2022, a record number of estates are now liable to paying tax, which is charged at the rate of 40% on the sum above any available allowances. As reported in my earlier article when the Autumn Statement […]
Cohabitation and Later Life Planning
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nat_B0m
The number of couples opting to live with one another without entering into a marriage or civil partnership is on the rise. Unfortunately, there are many couples who are unaware of their legal rights as they are under the impression, they have the fallback of being a ‘common law wife/husband’. This is a myth. Currently, […]
Digital LPAs and why, for now, we are not using them
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There was a recent piece on the Radio 4 program ‘Money Box’ about the difficulties many have encountered trying to use the digital certificate given at the end of the digitally drafted ‘Lasting Powers of Attorney form creation process’, presumably for Property and Finance, with various banks and other financial institutions. It is probably fair […]
Illustration of ‘unexpected Capital Gains Tax issues’ arising…
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Once, a divorced mother made a Will leaving her estate to her children. The house was her main asset. She died some years back and her Will was probated. The house was registered in the names of the adult children at the Land Registry. One of them moved in, with the other’s agreement. Years later, […]
The LPA amendment Bill – what it means for you and yours
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The Bill to reform the law on making lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) in England and Wales has been published and received its second reading in parliament on 9 December 2022. LPAs are a specific type of power of attorney with a wider scope than ordinary Powers of Attorney. LPAs allow someone to appoint another […]
To gift or not to gift? The impact of the Autumn Statement on Inheritance Tax
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Today’s Autumn Statement saw Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, announce what had been predicted by many – an extension to the freeze on the Inheritance Tax Nil Rate Band allowance – amongst other financial measures. The Nil Rate Band allowance has been fixed at its current level of £325,000 per individual since 2009 and […]
Life assurance policies and investments written in trust – what happens next?
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Many people will only come across trusts when they are being discussed in the same breath as life insurance policies, whether those are true protection products or investments structured as a life assurance policy, in the context of the investment/life assurance being ‘written in trust’. These days it’s very simple for such financial products to […]
Making a Will where you know there’s trouble ahead
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This article is not intended as information/a guide as to how to bring and/or defend an action under the Inheritance Provision for Family & Dependants Act 1975 (’IPFDA’75). What it is, however, is some thoughts on how to give instructions for the drafting of a Will by a professional, and indeed the importance of having […]
Digital assets in later life planning
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nat_B0m
Technology is increasingly playing a major role in our lives and this trend will no doubt continue. In order to keep up with technology, we must develop our knowledge and understand the impact it has on us and our families, especially post-death when we and our loved ones are most vulnerable. When undergoing the task […]