Expert Comments

Opinion

Possible remedies for the disinherited

The case of a son, who is suing his mother and sisters after he was cut out of his dementia suffering father’s will is widely reported in the press this...

October 12, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

Homemade Wills – do they work?

In the recent case of Vucicevic v Aleksic, the High Court has managed to interpret a homemade, handwritten will, made by a testator with poor written English, which had a...

October 9, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

Lasting Powers of Attorney – the debate

Denzil Lush (former Senior Judge of the England & Wales Court of Protection) has been widely quoted in the press, talking about the lack of safeguards with Lasting and Enduring...

August 16, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Clarifying who will make decisions for you if you can no longer do so

Lasting power of attorney and advance decisions are two ways you can ensure your wishes are fulfilled if you are no longer capable of making decisions yourself explains Nicola Waldman....

May 31, 2017

Blog

Inheritance tax – what you need to know

As with the making of a Will and other estate planning considerations, time spent understanding your estate’s tax liabilities and planning for them will give you peace of mind, writes…

May 3, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

Probate Court Fees – A Reprieve?

The proposed increase in probate court fees may now be delayed, if not abandoned, after stumbling at their final hurdle. The parliamentary committee on statutory instruments have said that the...

April 7, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Blog

A valid Will – it’s how – not where…

In the case of Wilson v Lassman, the High Court has upheld the validity of a will that was witnessed on the bonnet of the testator’s car. The background to...

March 15, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

More ‘death taxes’ on the way…

Not only have the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) decided to press ahead with a significant rise in probate fees, but it seems that the Treasury is considering a compulsory levy...

March 6, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Lasting powers of attorney – it is easy to make a mistake

The Office of the Public Guardian have published a blog citing common mistakes in Lasting Powers of attorney (LPA’s): Using the wrong form i.e. using a health and welfare form…

February 9, 2017

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Landmark inheritance case set for the Supreme Court

Next week, for the first time, the Supreme Court will hear a case under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (‘the 1975 Act’). The case relates to…

December 9, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

Married at first sight

In its second series on TV, “Married at First Sight” shows couples, matched by experts, getting married on their very first meeting – as complete strangers! But what happens if...

November 2, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Reflecting on Breast Cancer Awareness Month and planning for the unknown

I have been reminded by recent press and media stories that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and it has made me stop and think again about how life changing...

October 18, 2016

Blog

What happens to my music collection when I die?

In the past, this wasn’t much of an issue, if you owned records or CD’s, you could leave them to family or friends, named in your will, along with your...

September 28, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Considerations for the over 55’s when making a will

If you are in a new relationship, with children from a previous relationship You may want to provide for your current partner by leaving them a life interest in your…

September 26, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

Getting married? Buying a place with your boyfriend? Five estate planning issues gay couples must think about

If you are buying a new place with your boyfriend, getting married or becoming civil partners, it’s an exciting time when you will be making plans for your future life...

September 12, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Blog

Was the Duke of Westminster’s estate really exempt from inheritance tax?

The 6th Duke of Westminster died on 9 August leaving an estate worth over £9 billion. He owned 190 acres of property in Belgravia and Mayfair and substantial property portfolios...

August 16, 2016

Opinion

Penalties for failing to make full disclosure

A son has been ordered to pay a penalty of over £87,000 for failing to disclose a cash gift received from his father, in the months before his father’s death.…

February 3, 2016

Nicola Waldman

Opinion

New Personal Savings Allowance on the way

The Government is introducing a Personal Savings Allowance from 6 April 2016. From this date, there will be less income tax to pay on interest from savings. For basic rate…

January 6, 2016

Opinion

Inheritance Tax and the Life-Support Machine

The new pension rules, introduced in April 2015, allow an individual to draw down (withdraw) on any percentage of their pension. Surprisingly there are no restrictions on drawing down 100%…

December 23, 2015

Blog

A Toxic Tax

A Fabian Society report has presented findings from a series of focus groups across the country, which they say demonstrates that inheritance tax (IHT) is regarded as unfair – across…

December 10, 2015

Nicola Waldman