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Debunking probate myths and understanding the probate process
Despite its importance, there are many misconceptions surrounding the probate process that often lead to confusion and misunderstandings. In this blog, we will explore some of the most common probate misconceptions and clarify the facts.
The late Queen and her Estate
In September 2022, the world was shocked to hear about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. Not only was she Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022, but she was also queen regnant of 32 sovereign states during her lifetime, and was head of state of 15 realms at the time of her death.
Estate planning for the modern family: cost-effective solutions for transferring wealth in the UK
In today’s complex world, estate planning has become even more important as families have become more diverse. This is especially true in the UK, where the modern family often consists of blended families, same-sex couples, and single parents.
Wills vs. gifts: choosing the most cost-effective option for leaving your estate to your children
When it comes to leaving your estate to your children, you have two main options: making a will or giving gifts. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages, and choosing the most cost-effective option will depend on your specific circumstances.
Understanding probate: a guide for estate executors
As an executor, the process of probate can seem overwhelming. Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person’s will, or estate under the intestacy rules and distributing their assets to the designated beneficiaries.
Wills and estate planning for blended families
When you and your partner create a life together with the children from one or both of your previous relationships, this is known as a blended family. It can sometimes be difficult for blended families to discuss how they wish for their Estates to be divided regarding their Wills.
Which type of Will is right for you?
Many people do not know that there are a number of different types of Will that can be used to distribute your assets and property after your death and protect your loved ones.
What does an Executor or Administrator of a Will do?
When a loved one passes away it can be a shock to discover the amount of paperwork that needs to be sorted out in order to deal with that person’s estate. Under the terms of a Will the person responsible is known as the Executor but, if there is no Will the estate is dealt with under the rules of intestacy and that person is known as the Administrator.
Can I gift my house to my children?
One of the most common questions we are asked by clients, is if they could make a gift of their property to their children. This is quite often to mitigate any inheritance tax in the future.
What to do when a person dies overseas
With so many options of travel and working from home, there is an increasing number of people moving abroad but continuing to have their place of work in the UK and retaining assets in England such as bank accounts, pensions and property.
What happens at a Will meeting?
We often receive enquiries from people who want to make a Will, but they are not quite sure how to go about starting the process or what it involves. We like to keep the process as simple as possible, as making a Will is not always the easiest decision for people to make and it is not something that a lot of us like to think about.
Leaving a gift to a charity in your Will
With so many of us supporting charities, clients often ask us if they can leave a gift to a charity within their Will. Of course, leaving a charitable gift in your Will is a nice thing to do, however it is important to seek appropriate advice as leaving such a gift is not as straightforward as you may think.
Are there tax implications for making gifts?
When making a gift to another person of money, property, or an item of value, it is especially important to be aware of the tax implications and the rules that govern how that gift is treated.
What happens if a person dies without making a Will?
If someone dies without leaving a Will, their estate will be dealt with under the intestacy rules. The intestacy rules determine who will inherit your estate. This could mean that the person you wish to inherit your estate is not the person who will inherit your estate.
Why is it important for blended families to make a Will?
A number of families are now part of a blended family unit, which is why it is especially important to put a Will in place to protect your loved ones.
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