12 June 2024
To give, or not to give: that is the question
If someone dies domiciled in the UK for inheritance tax (IHT) purposes (or non-domiciled but with UK assets exposed to IHT), this is a tax that cannot be ignored.
8 May 2024
Dying Matters Week – Let’s talk about death and Wills
It is fair to say that we as a society are not comfortable discussing death. It is daunting – you have to think about Wills, funerals, organ donations, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and care planning. You cannot escape death, but you can ensure your plans are in place. Unnerving as it is, the alternative to not talking, thinking and planning is problems and heartache for loved ones and arguments over property, assets and funerals. Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney need to discussed more openly and acted upon.
16 April 2024
Probate delays
Recent government statistics show that the timeliness for issue of grants of representation (mean average) has progressively slipped since the pandemic
4 April 2024
French matrimonial regimes: the wide ranging impact for couples with Anglo-French connections
The concept of matrimonial regimes has become increasingly well known in England, having been a stalwart of the French marriage process for centuries. International clients and those with Anglo French connections are asking the right questions about French marriage contracts versus English prenuptial or postnuptial agreements more frequently, being more aware of the significant differences between the two and also the need for cross-border legal advice to ensure their interests are protected should they later choose to divorce.
7 December 2023
Probate: Missing or unknown beneficiaries – what should executors do?
An executor’s legal duty is to distribute the estate according to the terms of the will. This sounds straightforward, but what happens if one of the beneficiaries is unknown or missing?