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Expert Comments
Opinion
wills-and-probate
Succession: How To Make A Success Of Charitable Giving In A Will
The finale of season three of Succession has aired and fans around the world are on tenterhooks as to what may come of media empire Waystar RoyCo and the squabbling…
December 20, 2021
Opinion
wills-and-probate
Private Wills For The Royals, Public Wills For The Rest Of Us
You may have seen reports and opinions in the news concerning whether Prince Philip’s will should or should not be a matter of public record. The Guardian is seeking permission…
November 26, 2021
Opinion
wills-and-probate
The Cycle of Life – and 10 reasons to make (or change) your will
A will is a legally binding document which sets out your wishes for later life, including how your assets will be passed on to your loved ones. To help illustrate...
Following our recent blog (which can be read here), discussing the unscrupulous practices used by some ‘heir hunters’, we were contacted by Finders (a probate research agency). Danny Curran, the…
April 8, 2021
Opinion
estate-planning
inheritance-tax
Heir Hunters – A Warning
Last week, we were contacted by a client who had received a phone call, and then a follow up visit to their home, by an heir hunter agency. Our client…
March 11, 2021
Opinion
Budget 2021 – Thawing out the frozen Inheritance Tax thresholds
Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, yesterday delivered one of the most eagerly awaited Budgets in recent memory. Whilst in the midst of a very unique current climate, all…
March 4, 2021
Blog
Can Trusts be trusted and why might we use them?
The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) have recently produced a report on the ‘Social and Economic Benefits of Trusts’ which, among other issues, looks at the way that...
Signed, Sealed but not Delivered – How Joint Property Passes on Death
Many people believe that making a will is simple and can be done through DIY kits. However, they fail to appreciate the nuances of many relevant legal matters, including property…
November 9, 2020
Blog
wills-and-probate
Donatio Mortis Causa: Are deathbed gifts legal?
The usual way of making gifts in your lifetime fall under those that are “Inter Vivos” gifts, which translates to those “between the living” and those which are made in...
October 29, 2020
Blog
intestacy
Death, Taxes and the Crown: What happens to everything I own when I die?
The belief that the Queen will take all of your assets if you die without a Will is often raised by those who are not sure how the law works....
October 21, 2020
Opinion
Signing a will using video conferencing – a great new option or only a last resort?
During the Covid 19 crisis, many more people have been thinking about writing or changing their will. But a major concern has been how to get the will witnessed correctly...
Post-Pandemic Probate: how to deal with the estates of those who have died
It has been a difficult time this year with many relationships, families and minds being tested as a result of the far reaching impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic. Whilst we...
August 7, 2020
Blog
What happens if someone loses mental capacity without Lasting Power of Attorney?
One of the most common questions I am asked by clients is:- what options are available to me once a loved one has lost their mental capacity and does not...
June 22, 2020
Opinion
A Reduction at the Registry: The Future of Grant Applications after Covid-19
In the past it was a comfort to know that Registry grant applications would take up to 10 working days to be issued, but following legislation proposed by Government in...
June 8, 2020
Opinion
Signing a Will and Social Distancing
Since the start of lockdown, solicitors’ offices have been closed and clients are being relied upon to correctly execute their wills at home. The Wills Act 1837 lays down strict...
May 29, 2020
Opinion
Why did Sally Challen challenge the Forfeiture Rule if she didn’t want the money?
It has been widely reported in the media that Sally Challen has won the right to inherit the £1m estate of her husband despite being convicted of his murder, subsequently...
Who wants to be a Millionaire: A guide to the current rules on Inheritance Tax (IHT)
It is hard to believe that back in 2015, the initial IHT guidance for the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was announced. This provided a gradual increase in the RNRB...
May 19, 2020
Opinion
Demand For Wills Jumps 76% In Two Weeks Due To Coronavirus
As the UK begins to adjust to the “new normal” that we face amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, many families are approaching their affairs with an increased sense of reflection and…
Keeping Calm and Carrying On: Wills & Probate Services during COVID-19
In these unprecedented times, the Private Client team here at Hodge Jones & Allen wishes good health to everyone with the hope that life will return to normal as soon...
March 26, 2020
Opinion
The Proposal: Inheritance Tax Exemptions For Transfers Between Siblings
Lord Lexden, a Conservative peer in the House of Lords has sponsored a Bill (cited as the Inheritance Tax Act 1984 (Amendment) (Siblings) Act 2020) that amends existing legislation to…
