Expert Comments

Opinion

inheritance-act
inheritance-dispute
Wills
wills-and-probate

Transgender Beneficiaries – Will Obtaining A Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC) And Changing Your Name Impact Inheritance?

Following the enactment of the Gender Recognition Act in 2005, transgender individuals whose circumstances qualify can choose to obtain a GRC which changes their gender for legal purposes. It is…

May 20, 2025

Scarlett Roberts

Opinion

Wills
wills-and-probate

The Law Commission’s Report On Modernising Wills Law

The Law Commission’s long-awaited report on the reform of Wills Law marks a significant moment in modernising one of the oldest legal frameworks in England and Wales. At the heart…

May 19, 2025

Mohan Dhadli

Opinion

contentious-probate
dispute-resolution

How To Fund A Contested Probate Claim

There is a growing trend of people litigating about contentious probate matters which may be fuelled by increasing values of estates (which mainly consist of properties), public awareness due to…

May 2, 2025

Chun Wong

Opinion

wills-and-probate

William Shakespeare And A Lesson In Will Drafting: ‘All’s Well That Ends With A Will’

William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwrights in history, passed away on April 23, 1616 (also his birthday). While his literary legacy continues to captivate audiences worldwide, his Last Will…

April 23, 2025

Mohan Dhadli

Opinion

inheritance-dispute
inheritance-tax
wills-and-probate

Polyamorous Relationships and Their Impact on Inheritance and Probate

In recent years, polyamorous relationships have become more visible and more publicly understood. Polyamory refers to having a romantic relationship with more than one person. There is no one right…

February 21, 2025

Hannah Yellop

Mohan Dhadli

Opinion

contentious-probate
dispute-resolution

A Recent Take On Death Bed Gifts – Rahman V Hassan (2024)

The doctrine of donatio mortis causa (which in Latin translates to ‘gift by reason of death’) (“DMC”) dates back to the Roman times, and given the statutory provisions of s9…

October 4, 2024

Chun Wong

Opinion

contentious-probate
dispute-resolution

Testamentary Capacity – Updated in Leonard v Leonard (2024)

A Will can be challenged and set aside if it can be shown that the deceased lacked ‘testamentary capacity’. Banks v Goodfellow (1870) The relevant legal test for establishing (testamentary)…

September 4, 2024

Chun Wong

Blog

inheritance-tax

Mariah Carey’s Mother And Sister Die On The Same Day: Who Will Receive Their Inheritance First?

The Grammy award winning singer, Mariah Carey, has announced the tragic loss of both her mother and sister. Where there are insufficient details known at this time to determine what…

August 29, 2024

Mohan Dhadli

Opinion

wills-and-probate

Intestacy, What Happens If I Die Without A Will?

Research has shown that one in two UK adults do not have a will in place and a third of those without a will are over the age of 55…

March 27, 2024

Sarah Conner

Opinion

wills-and-probate

Love and Making Wills

People are often under the impression that the field of Wills & Probate is rather sombre and devoid of love. However in reality that is rarely the case. Clients are…

February 14, 2024

Sarah Conner

Opinion

inheritance-tax
wills-and-probate

Planning For Your Loved One’s Future? Start With Your Will

Your Will is one of the most important documents you will ever create. A validly signed and witnessed Will insures that on your death there is a smooth distribution of…

January 22, 2024

Sarah Conner

Blog

inheritance-tax

Gifting, to mitigate Inheritance tax?

Many of us are making gifts this festive season echoing the Three Wise Men, the biblical magi who were distinguished foreigners in the Gospel of Matthew, and the Christian tradition…

December 22, 2023

Sarah Conner

Opinion

Nothing Lasts Forever Even Cold November Rain

The captivating rock ballad November Rain penned by the legendary and talented musician Axl Rose, of the famous band Guns and Roses has often sprang to mind this November. We…

November 20, 2023

Sarah Conner

Opinion

deputyship
lasting-power-of-attorney
wills-and-probate

Making a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

Here at Hodge Jones & Allen we advise clients of the advantages and peace of mind that comes when they have put in place Lasting Powers of Attorney Documents (LPA)’s…

October 24, 2023

Sarah Conner

Opinion

inheritance-tax

The Government’s Inheritance Tax Giveaway To Society’s Richest

Was inheritance tax mentioned in the budget? Barely. But a look beneath the surface shows that the removal of a key pension threshold will enable the richest in society to,…

March 22, 2023

Opinion

private-client

Whose Body Is It Anyway?

Why is it that when setting out the funeral instructions in a will, also known as the “disposal of body” clause, the wording starts with “I wish” or “I desire”?…

January 23, 2023

Opinion

lasting-power-of-attorney

Lasting Powers of Attorney – not just for the elderly

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is the legal mechanism by which a donor appoints an attorney to make decisions on their behalf. There are two types of LPA, one…

November 11, 2022

Mohan Dhadli

Opinion

estate-planning

Estate Planning And Probate With Overseas Elements – Where To Begin?

When dealing with an estate, either by planning your estate through making a will or acting as a personal representative in a probate matter, it is increasingly common to encounter…

August 8, 2022

Opinion

wills-and-probate

The Will That Didn’t Exist

We always impress on clients the importance of making a valid Will. Equally important is to ensure that the original is then stored in a safe place so that when…

June 22, 2022

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

lasting-power-of-attorney

Fraudsters Are Using Powers Of Attorney To Steal People’s Homes

The system for taking control of a person’s financial affairs is “wide open” to fraud, a BBC investigation has found. They were concerned that the application process for obtaining financial…

February 11, 2022