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Expert Comments
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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
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....
