DIY Probate Pitfalls
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 […]
What happens if you do not have a Will ?
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 […]
Are you involved in a Trust in anyway?
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 […]
Need to Contest a Will, let us help.
Contesting a Will Heppenstalls offer a Fixed Fee service for assessing the merits of contesting a Will. For a fixed fee of £1200 (including VAT), we’ll complete an in-depth assessment of your case, and advise you if you have grounds for a claim or not. There are several grounds for contesting a will including: Lack […]
Real Life Problems and their solutions – Altering a Will
Real Life Problems and their solutions – altering a Will Mr B is 84 and his brother had recently passed away leaving everything to him. It was a sizeable inheritance. Mr B is widower with 2 adult children and several adult grandchildren and he himself had savings and property of considerable value. He was concerned […]
Is probate required? Real life problems and the solutions.
Real life problems and the solutions – Is probate required ? Mrs D came in to see us as her husband had just passed away. In his Will he had left everything to her. Most of their assets were in joint names such as their main bank account, a shared savings account and their home. […]
Consideration of Pets in your Will
Consideration of Pets in your Will We are a nation of pet lovers with approximately 12 million households having pets with 51 million pets owned. They are part of the family and very important to us, so it seems right we should give them some consideration when it comes to preparing our Wills. So what […]
Cohabitation – no such thing as Common Law Marriage
There are more than 6 million cohabiting couples in the UK and the number is rising. However, despite how common an occurrence it now is, problems can arise frequently for these couples upon death or separation. If you are co-habiting, you do not have the same rights as a married couple; and contrary to popular […]
Did you make a New Years resolution?
You have joined the gym, signed up to a more active lifestyle, given up chocolate and wine. But do you need to put your Legal Affairs in Order? Not sure then read on……. Do you have a Will? If not you are not alone two thirds of adults in the UK don’t, but do you […]
Your duties as an Attorney
Duties of Attorneys 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 […]