Wills

05 March 2025

Ministry of Justice provide explanation for England and Wales probate reform failure
The causes of the England and Wales Probate Service’s severe delays following its reformation into a digital service in 2020, and actions taken to improve the situation

06 February 2025

EWHC rule that 'failure' of a legacy includes beneficiaries' disclaimers
Failure of a legacy. The England and Wales High Court (EWCH) have recently ruled that the ‘failure’ of a legacy includes cases where the recipient disclaims it, for the purposes of deciding where a legacy devolves

15 January 2025

Will formalities, typical content and practical effect
How and why make a valid Will

13 January 2025

Will trusts, types, investments and advantages
What a Will Trust is, types of Will Trusts, Will Trusts and children, Will Trust investments and advantages of Will Trusts

10 January 2025

Variations and disclaimers
How the provisions of a Will or intestacy can be varied posthumously

10 January 2025

Survivorship and commorientes
Special provisions where individuals die at the same time or within a short time of each other

10 January 2025

Wills and tax planning
Use of Will provisions to save tax

11 December 2024

Will can be overridden by oral agreement to transfer shares on death - EWHC
An England and Wales High Court (EWHC) case in which it was decided that an oral agreement among shareholders regarding the transfer of shares on death is capable of being valid and binding. The agreement can not only supersede the terms of a company's articles but may also override the terms of the donor's will

04 December 2024

Deathbed destruction of a will
An England and Wales High Court (EWHC) case in which it was decided that a woman who partially tore up her will on her deathbed had intended to revoke the document and thus prevent her extended family inheriting her £800K estate

22 October 2024

Planning with owner-occupied property on death
Using owner-occupied property in estate planning on death

21 October 2024

The Competition and Markets Authority cautions will writing and legal service providers as new guidance launched
Final guidance published by the Competition and Markets Authority on unregulated businesses that provide will writing, online divorce and pre-paid probate services

17 October 2024

Accompanying deceased to Swiss clinic does not amount to assisting suicide
A recent case in which the England and Wales High Court have ruled that a widower is to be allowed to inherit the residue of his late wife's estate even though he admitted assisting her death by suicide at a clinic in Switzerland

09 October 2024

How to leave a legacy for children with special educational needs or learning difficulties - a case study
Leaving a legacy either in lifetime or on death to a family member who has special educational needs (SENDS). If your clients have a family member who has special educational needs (SENDS), they may not be able to deal with their own finances as they enter into adulthood. It’s important to help your clients make the right choices when it comes to leaving a legacy either in lifetime or on death to those individuals