9 January 2018
How to ensure your funeral wishes are respected
Many people have very strong and specific wishes as to the nature and conduct of their funeral but they won’t be around to know if those wishes are carried out. Under the present law, the executors appointed under the Will have ownership of the body and are, technically, the decision makers for funeral arrangements. They are not obliged to follow any funeral wishes expressed in the Will.
14 December 2017
Choosing executors for your will – pro or no?
When we mention preparing a will, many individuals assume the only significant point to consider is the distribution of their estate. Who should benefit? How much should they receive? Of course this is vital, but the appointment of your executors should also be a key consideration.
29 August 2017
Wills by WhatsApp?
The Wills Act 1837 (the “Wills Act”) is probably one of the oldest pieces of legislation we tend to come across on a day to day basis. It works well because it is (a) clear, and (b) simple.
30 May 2017
The difficulties (but not impossibility) of challenging wills prepared by solicitors
In recent years we have noticed an increase in claims being brought which challenge the validity of a will. The reasons for this increase have been previously commented on by many, but the general feeling is that an increasing elderly population, an increase in the diagnosis of medical conditions such as dementia, and even perhaps a growing sense of entitlement by hopeful beneficiaries are all contributing factors.
11 May 2017
The residence nil rate band - do I qualify and should I change my Will?
A key promise in the Conservative Party’s manifesto prior to the last election was an increase in a married couples’ “nil rate band” (the amount they can ultimately pass to their children or others free of inheritance tax ) from £650,000 to £1 million. The Party had picked up on a growing disquiet that the nil rate band hadn’t kept up with house price increases which were pushing more and more families into the inheritance tax net. The standard nil rate band has been capped at £325,000 per person until 2021.