Lasting Powers of Attorney Every hour, two LPAs are rejected by the Office of the Public Guardian in England and Wales. That’s 22,000 a year. (Data from Which? 2020) Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) came into effect in 2007. They replaced Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs), although any existing EPAs remain valid. An EPA could […]
A will is arguably one of the most important legal documents you can sign in your lifetime, but as the will writing sector currently unregulated, it’s easy to fall victim to rogue will writers. As it stands there are no restrictions in the UK on who can prepare a will: meaning anyone, whether qualified or […]
The duties as an Attorney are very similar whether acting under a General Power of Attorney, an Enduring Power of Attorney or a Lasting Power of Attorney. The duty of Attorney must be to always act in the best interests of the donor (the person giving the Power) and consider the needs and wishes of the […]
It is recurring theme that many people when they come to see us are married for a second time with children from the first marriage and are concerned to make provision for everyone in their Wills. Mr A had just such a problem and we helped him resolve it. Mr A wanted to ensure that […]
This September we have teamed up with Oakhaven and we will prepare your Will/s for free in return for a donation to Oakhaven Hospice. We have a limited number of appointments, which must be arranged during Write a Will Month, but can take place at a later date. In return for preparing the Will, we […]
During 2021, there were 283,352 applications made for grants of representation; that is for Probate where there is a Will, or Letters of Administration on intestacy or other reasons. The person taking the Grant is called “The Personal Representative “ (PR). The process of applying for a Grant of Representation can be relatively straightforward if […]
In recent months, some homes in the UK have been reported as almost unsaleable due to doubling ground rents. Traditionally, houses have been sold as ‘freehold’ meaning that homeowners own the whole of their home and have complete control over it. However in recent years, some developers, more predominantly in the North West area of […]
That is determined by the Inheritance and Trustees Powers Act 2014: If there are surviving children, grandchildren or great grandchildren of the person who died and the estate is valued at more than £270,000, the partner (married or civil partners NOT unmarried) will inherit: all the personal property and belongings of the person who has […]
Heppenstalls will be at the New Forest Show which runs from 26th to 28th July, do come and visit our stand if you are there! https://www.newforestshow.co.uk/ Heppenstalls History Heppenstalls was founded in 1893 by Herbert Culllin Heppenstall, our Lymington office was the first but not on our current site. The firm moved into 75 […]
Historically only taxable trusts needed to be registered. However, new rules introduced on 6 October 2020 require most UK trusts (and some non-UK trusts) to register via the Trust Registration Service (TRS) regardless of their taxable status. These rules apply to all express UK trusts. Common trusts included are Nil Rate band trusts and trusts […]
