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Losing loved ones is difficult enough without the worry as to how their estate is being handled. Unfortunately, disputes over wills and inheritance seem to have increased as families have become more diverse and complicated. These disputes are classed as contentious probate in the UK and cover a wide range of claims such as the validity of a will, testamentary capacity, inheritance act claims (for example the will didn’t leave you what you feel you deserved or were promised), mismanagement of the estate and disagreements between beneficiaries to name but a few...

On 4 May 2021, The Debt Respite Scheme (Breathing Space Moratorium and Mental Health Crisis Moratorium) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020 came into force.      The scheme, known as Breathing Space, has been introduced to provide people facing financial difficulties the opportunity to obtain the following legal protection:   Up to 60 days protection from creditors (breathing space moratorium) and; Mental health crisis Breathing Space for the full duration of the person’s crisis treatment, plus another 30 days (mental health crisis moratorium) Landlords,...

It has been announced that the IHT allowances have been frozen until 2026.  There has been a great deal of speculation as to whether the IHT threshold would be increasing, as it typically has done over the years, or decreasing, in view of the ongoing pandemic.  For now, at least, it appears that for the next few years there appears to be no imminent plans for the IHT threshold to change – though this is not absolutely guaranteed.  The Budget in March 2021 has not introduced any shocks in terms of the law relating to IHT. If you would like advice relating to your inheri...

Many people, in good faith, believe that their legal affairs are all completely up-to-date when in fact that may not be the case.  Making a will is of course seen as an obvious thing to do by many people, but this is certainly not the only thing which needs to be considered to ensure one’s legal affairs are up-to-date. Here is a checklist of just four things to consider when considering whether your legal affairs are in fact up-to-date:   Have you made a will?  This is of course very important.  Indeed, it is crucial not just to make a will, but to ensure it ...