At Royds Withy King we are still able to serve all your legal needs during the Coronavirus pandemic. Find out more.
Posted by Sara Isenberg, Associate
That is the question… which many Attorneys should be asking themselves when spending a Donor’s money, and a question many advisers should be aware needs to be asked.
Posted by Mike Muston, Associate
One area where there has been much debate in the legal sector over the past few months is in relation to the preparation and execution of Wills. Many firms saw a huge increase in demand for will instructions in March and April and it is inevitable that there will also have been an increase in the number of Wills that were made at home, without professional assistance.
Posted by Mandy Casavant, Senior Associate
The families of frontline carers are to be exempt from inheritance tax should they die as a result of Covid-19 through the course of their work thanks to an exemption to legislation first created for serving personnel and emergency services.
Posted by Rod Smith, Partner
Domicile is the keystone to inheritance tax (‘IHT’). Where a married couple or registered civil partners are both UK domiciled or both non-UK domiciled, the full spousal exemption applies.
Posted by Mollie Sturgess-Webb, Trainee Solicitor
In England and Wales, there is testamentary freedom. This means that a client of sound mind is perfectly entitled to make a Will for capricious, frivolous, mean or even bad reasons without the Will being invalid.
Posted by Amanda Noyce, Partner
With seriously ill individuals with Covid-19 and the general population exercising social distancing, it is vital that there is still an option to create or update a will whilst remaining in isolation. But how can this be done?
Posted by Rod Smith, Partner
With the FTSE 100 down by around 20% on the start of the year, the current situation presents valuable opportunities for lifetime tax planning.
Posted by Mollie Sturgess-Webb, Trainee Solicitor
Mollie Sturgess-Webb examines issues around Lasting Powers of Attorney and measures you need to take to make sure donors’ financial affairs can be fully looked after.
Posted by Amanda Noyce, Partner
Contributing authors: Laura Kearns
The demand for Wills is, understandably, high. However, the requirement for two independent witnesses is proving challenging when the country is in lockdown. The Law Society and the Ministry of Justice are discussing ways to make the signing of Wills and powers of attorney easier and quicker.
Posted by James McNeile, Partner
As Coronavirus cases increase so does, understandably, the demand for will services. But, as self-isolation and social distancing requirements are raised, how is the way in which wills can be witnessed and processed likely to change? Should we be looking to the government to bring in new legislation to mirror the process of wills for those in the armed forces or merchant seamen at sea?
Posted by James McNeile, Partner
Controversial plans to increase probate fees have been scrapped by Justice Secretary Robert Buckland. The changes that were originally introduced by Theresa May would have increased administrative fees from £215 to £6,000 for the largest estates, raising an extra £185million a year for the government.
Posted by Mike Muston, Associate
It is regularly reported that inheritance disputes are on the rise. Here we look briefly at some of the most common grounds for challenging a will and the reasons behind why they arise.