Important Changes to the Rules on Intestacy
The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Bill has received Royal Ascent and will come into force on 1st October 2014. While this doesn’t sound terribly exciting, it does contain at least two measures which might be seen as improving the rules for how an estate is distributed in somebody dies without a Will (“intestate”). Under current rules…
Opportunities to work with us
P/T Appointment Co-ordinator / Telemarketer – Evenings We are a friendly family business looking for an enthusiastic person to join our team. You are self-motivated, a confident communicator on the phone, target driven, keen to succeed, able to work within a team and have a happy outlook on life. We are an established Will writing…
How to protect your estate from greedy family members
The blog below was originally written by Patti S. Smith, Attorney for Spencer Law Firm in Lancaster, PA in the USA. What really struck me is how many similarities there are with our legal sysytems and that all of the solutions apply to clients in England and Wales. With many thanks to Patti, I hope…
How Estate Planning Can Change Lives
A study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies has reminded me why I think estate planning is so important. The study found that people who were born in the 60s and 70s will be poorer than their parents – unless they inherit from them. I often discuss with my clients the massive difference that their…
5 small things that can cause big problems for your current Will
Anybody who has written a Will can tell you the peace of mind that this simple document can bring about. But do you have a false peace of mind with your Will? Here are five things to watch out for: 1) Has your Will been witnessed by two independent people who were both together when…
New dates announced for our ‘Will Writing for Financial Advisers’ Course
We have partnered with IFAs, mortgage brokers and accountants for the last 9 years. We believe we understand their needs, and how Wills and Estate Planning can help them grow their businesses. Having listened to our partners we have developed a two day course specifically for professionals in financial services. The next course is on…
Fees for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney to be reduced to £110
The Office of the Public Guardian has announced that the fee for regsitering a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or an Enduring power of Attorney (EPA) is to be reduced by £20 to £110 on October 1st. Efficiency savings have made the cut possible. LPAs are important documents which allow you to appoint people you…
Job vacancies and Opportunities
If you are looking for a change of career or just need to earn a few extra pounds, please get in touch with us about any of the vacancies below: Part Time Appointment co-ordinator Do you like to TALK? We are looking for a reliable good communicator to work 2 or 3 evenings a week,…
How pensions can cause an Inheritance Tax problem
A penison is a tax efficient way of providing for our old age. Whatever we might think about their performance, there can be no denying the tax benefits of investing in this way. However, there is one tax which is often forgotten when it comes to pensions – Inheritance Tax (IHT). Most pensions are set…
Appointing Guardians is Easy
Appointing Guardians is easy. So why are many parents still opting to leave their children to Social Services when they die! If both parents die without having nominated a guardian for their children who are under the age of 18, the courts, based on recommendations from social services, will decide who gets guardianship. For many…