We are back – home visits to make a Will now available
Easing of lockdown New measures came into effect on 4th July which are being seen as an easing of the lockdown. In line with these measures, we can now announce that we are able to visit clients in their homes tol help them to make a Will, subject to certain safety measures. We fully understand…
What happens at a Will review?
We suggest that most people should review their Wills at least every 5 years. If there has been a change in your financial or family circumstances we recommend that you review your Will immediately. If you are an exisiting client, you may have received a call from us asking if you would like a review meeting…
Why business owners need Wills
Why do business owners need Wills? As a business owner, whether you are a sole trader, in a partnership or own shares in a limited company read on. You may need to take some action. We believe that if you own assets or have children, you need a Will. There are some people, like business…
Inheritance Tax limit goes up
The increased allowance – The ‘Residence Nil Rate Band’ The new tax year has brought with it some welcome good news for those with larger estates with some new Inhertiance Tax allowances. The Residence Nil Rate Band has risen from £150,000 to £175,000 per person. The allowance is transferable between spouses and civil partners, so…
This is how easy it is to make a Will with a remote meeting.
You don’t have to be a technical wizard Some of older clients do not want to meet us face to face at the moment, which is perfectably understandable. Yet they are a little fearful of techology which is new to them, and they may not have used before. Fear not – if you’ve ever made…
Coronavirus statement
A message from our Managing Director, Stephen Wilkes: If you are worried about face to face contact with us in these worrying times, we can now offer what we call ‘remote’ visits. This can be done in a variety of ways, including using technology that you may have seen GPs using to consult with…
When contesting a Will goes horribly wrong
Do you think an adult beneficiary should ever challenge a parent’s Will? This subject often gets people hot under the collar. Father v. Daughter In a recently heard case, Sonya Young, from Glamorgan in Wales, did just that. Her father, Brian Cole, had changed his Will 25 days before he took his own life in…
Might siblings be treated like spouses for Inheritance Tax purposes?
Changes are afoot Potential changes currently before Parliament may spell good news for siblings and half-siblings who live together. The first reading of a Bill took place on 14th January 2020. It proposes that some transfers of wealth between siblings could be treated as though they were between spouses or Civil Partners. Where this becomes…
The Rules of Intestacy are Changing
The Lord Chancellor has announced a change to what we sometime call the Rules of Intestacy. Dying intestate means that you have died without a Will. Currently, if you die without a Will, and you have children, under the Rules of Intestacy your spouse or Civil Partner gets the following: All your personal belongings…
What happens at one of our consultations?
People often ask this question as they worry about what they might be committing to. Whether the meeting is held remotely or in person we tend to follow the same process. Firstly, you should allow 2 hours for the meeting. Our experienced estate planner will start by getting to know you, and looking at the…