Blog
Rebuilding lives after brain injury: the role of the Court of Protection
Jemma Garside
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.
22 March 2017
Deputyship – providing day to day support in the management of finances, property and affairs
As a Deputy appointed by the Court of Protection, it is our job to manage the day to day running of the finances, property and affairs of someone who lacks capacity to do so themselves. It is the Deputy’s responsibility to act in the best interests of our client at all times and safeguard his/her assets.
