The Risks of Unregulated Free and Online Wills: Is Saving Money Worth the Risk?
Free and low-cost unregulated online Will writing services have always existed and, with the rise of social media and internet usage, are becoming increasingly widespread. We know that it can be tempting to make a Will from the comfort of your own home and for someone with very straightforward circumstances, an online Will may appear […]
Inheriting Your Spouse’s ISA Allowance
ISAs are a popular way of saving and investing tax-efficiently. However, many people are unaware that, when a spouse or civil partner dies, the survivor can inherit their ISA allowance in addition to their own. This is known as an Additional Permitted Subscription (APS) and can provide a valuable opportunity for the surviving spouse or civil partner to continue investing tax-free. […]
Do beneficiaries have a right to see a Will?
When someone dies, it is common for family members and beneficiaries to want clarity about the contents of the Will and how the estate is being dealt with. However, the legal position is often misunderstood. Beneficiaries do not have an automatic right to see a copy of a Will, and their access to it may depend […]
Heppenstalls takes on Mitchells in friendly bowls match
Our team recently enjoyed an evening of friendly competition at New Milton Bowling Club, taking on fellow club sponsor Mitchells Estate Agents. The match gave colleagues from both businesses the chance to get together away from the office and enjoy an evening on the green. After some coaching and a few practice ends, the teams […]
Five common myths about making a Will
Most people know they should make a Will, yet many put it off for years because they believe it is something they can deal with later in life, or that it simply does not apply to them. Unfortunately, those misconceptions can leave loved ones facing unnecessary difficulties at an already difficult time. Here are five […]
Lost in Translation: AI and Probate Disputes. When Access to Information Is Not the Same as Understanding the Law
Recently, I received a Larke v Nugus request from the deceased’s second-born child (let’s call them X). For those unfamiliar with the term, a Larke v Nugus request is a request for information concerning the preparation and execution of a Will. It is commonly made where a beneficiary or family member has concerns about the […]
Secure Your Chosen Family This Pride Month
This Pride Month, while we celebrate love, commitment and chosen family, it is also a timely reminder for unmarried LGBTIQ+ couples to think about protecting the people they care about most. If you are in a relationship but are not married or in a civil partnership, your partner has no automatic right to inherit from […]
Why everyone should have a Lasting Power of Attorney
The Importance of getting LPAs in place What is a Lasting Power of Attorney: Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) are vital legal documents which allow your loved ones and trusted individuals to make decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity. There are two types of LPAs, the Property and Financial Affairs (P+F) and […]
HMRC’s Crackdown on Inheritance Tax: Why Estate Planning Has Never Been More Important
Recent reports indicate a significant rise in HMRC’s inheritance tax (IHT) investigations. These enquiries clawed back an additional £246 million in unpaid tax from bereaved families. Why the Increase? HMRC is now using powerful tools including AI to identify errors or inconsistencies in IHT returns. Common triggers include: undervalued property failure to declare personal […]
Deeds of Variation: useful – yes. But get it right.
MoneyWeek recently spotlighted both the forthcoming Budget and the renewed interest in Deeds of Variation (DoVs). With speculation circling around possible inheritance-tax tweaks (particularly lifetime-gifting rules) families are understandably asking how best to future-proof estates. DoVs are part of that toolkit, but they’re precision instruments, not blunt tools. What a DoV can do (when done […]