Blog
Rayner my parade! The importance of specialist advice.
Jemma Brimblecombe
11 May 2017
Contesting a forged or fraudulent will
A look at the case of a young widow who faked the will of her late husband.
3 May 2017
Lord Chancellor drops plans to raise probate fees after General Election called
The government has announced that its controversial plans to increase probate fees by an considerable 12,900% have been shelved. Under the plans, the fee for applying for a grant of probate was to increase from a flat fee of £155 to up to £20,000 on an estate worth over £2 million. Payable before the process of distributing an estate can begin, the increase was set to give rise to significant problems for executors dealing with asset heavy, cash poor estates.
6 April 2017
‘Real doubt’ whether Lord Chancellor’s probate fee increase is lawful
The government’s announcement earlier this year that probate fees were set to increase by an incredible 12,900% from 1 May 2017 has been severely criticised by a parliamentary joint committee.
24 March 2017
It’s my money! Why isn’t my deputy listening to me?
‘It’s my money! Why isn’t my Deputy listening to me?’ is the title of a talk I am giving at Naidex at the NEC in Birmingham next week. Naidex is Europe's largest trade, professional and consumer show dedicated to the care, rehabilitation and lifestyle of people with a disability or impairment and it takes place between 28-30th March.
23 March 2017
Charity begins at home? – how to cut a child out of your will
The Supreme Court’s decision in Ilott v Mitson has been reported in all the papers; you’ve probably read about it.
A daughter, Heather Ilott, long estranged from her mother, and in impecunious circumstances, was left nothing in her mother’s will, which passed the whole estate to three animal charities. Heather made a claim for “reasonable financial provision” from her mother’s estate under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. Heather had originally been awarded £50,000 by the Court; the Court of Appeal increased the award substantially; the Supreme Court reinstated the award at first instance.