Category: Private Client
Feb 2020
Could new IHT residence band see step children missing out?
New laws introduced by the Government from the tax year 2017/18 onwards allowed married partners to pass on up to £1 million worth of value in their family home, as long as it was passed to direct descendants. However, since the law has been introduced, some have found themselves worried that some of their loved ones may be missed out.
Feb 2020
New Will rules further address the need to write one
Surviving spouses and civil partners are about to benefit from an additional £20,000 if their spouse dies without leaving a will (or where there is an invalid will or it fails to deal with the estate fully). Under such circumstances the “intestacy” rules prevail, which are laid down in statute and create a proscribed order as to who inherits the estate.
Feb 2020
Could you consider a more vulnerable loved one this Valentine’s Day?
Memory loss and subsequent diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia, will affect 1 in 14 people over 65. The risk increases to 1 in 6 by the time a person reaches the age of 80.
Jan 2020
What’s the weirdest thing you could leave in a will?
No sooner had we written our recent blog about leaving crypto currency in a will, news hit the headlines about a football fan who left money in his will so that he could buy players a pint.
Jan 2020
OPG release details on elder abuse investigations
In a recent blog, we reported how the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) had seen an increase of reports relating to elder abuse. Whilst this is unfortunately not a new trend, the report has thrown some light on the responsibility of carers and those who may be more vulnerable to physical, mental or financial abuse.
Jan 2020
Should you be including crypto-currency in your will?
In a recent blog we talked about how digital assets may not be so clear cut when it comes to rightful ownership in the event of your death. However, if you happen to own any crypto-currency, you might want to think about telling your loved ones how to retrieve it.
Jan 2020
Civil Partnerships can void a will - have you updated yours?
If anyone out there was lucky enough to receive a proposal over Christmas, chances are you’re still up on cloud nine. However, whilst thinking about any preparations, you might also want to think about some of the legal implications and how this will affect you and your family.
Dec 2019
Funeral plans: Don’t let them be the death of you
“Gazelle will never say: ‘Just eat me’. We have to hunt.” This was a line spoken by a manager at one pre-paid funeral provider, according to undercover operations that were reported by the Guardian. Sadly, this is just another example of vulnerable individuals being put at risk – as most of them should probably never have been sold a funeral plan in the first place.
Dec 2019
Inheritance tax: What’s changing – and how can you save thousands of pounds
Back in 2016, then-Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced as part of the annual Summer Budget, a tax break that would put many families in a more favourable stance when it came to passing on property after death.
