In our article on 2nd July Cashing in on Death (link to) we reported on the alarming news that banks, specialist probate firms and Will-writers were exploiting the public with their probate charges. Since then our investigations and links with local support groups have highlighted a worrying development.
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Archive for the ‘Wills Wealth’ Category
Betting on a charity’s future after your death
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
On 21st June, the Daily Telegraph reported on the story of Nicholas Newlife’s estate and the impact it could have on the charity Oxfam.
Mr Newlife left his entire estate to Oxfam when he died in February 2009, aged 69, which included the outcomes of the series of outstanding bets he had placed.
Will Aid – Wards Solicitors come out winners
Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
2010 News – Will Aid – Article
Wards Solicitors with ten branches in the Bristol area raised a record £15,365. Although the firm has participated in previous Will Aid campaigns, this amazing fundraising total smashes their previous record and makes them the current top performing firm. Jenny Pierce, equity partner and Head of Probate Team explains how they achieved such a great result:
Cashing in on death
Friday, July 2nd, 2010
On 16th June, The Daily Mail reported that banks, specialist probate firms and will-writers were exploiting the public with their probate charges. Conversely, solicitors came out of the survey in a positive light.
Getting personal
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Article published in Elderly Client adviser March/April 2010
As a solicitor specialising in Wills and Probate work I inevitably spend a large proportion of my time dealing with the elderly. As a firm our philosophy is to offer all our clients a rounded service in addition to focusing on the individual transaction or issues that the client may have consulted us about. It has become increasingly apparent that this is of prime importance when dealing with the elderly client market and our firm’s Wills Probate and Trusts department has spearheaded the development in our firm of applying this “holistic” approach.
Delaying protection
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
The first report into the work of Court of Protection, established when the Mental Capacity Act came into force on 1 October 2007, reveals a consistent failure to meet five out of six targets for the time taken to respond to applicants and arrange hearings.
Nursing Home Fees – Anti Avoidance and making the family pay
Thursday, June 3rd, 2010
There are many ways for Local Authorities to recoup the cost of long term care from residents or their families. The political debate rages on about how fair it is to charge prudent savers for their care, or force people to sell cherished homes to pay these charges. In a recent case handled by Wards, a family was able to keep the money which had been distributed to them by an elderly lady on sale of her house – precisely because the court held that there was no intention on her part to avoid care fees.
The facts about the future of Capital Gains Tax…
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010
The Coalition Agreement indicates that Capital Gains Tax will be increased to approximately the same rate as income tax. They have further suggested that there will be “generous reliefs” for entrepreneurial and business assets. So, what does that mean for you?
Supreme Court refuses to allow man to sue brother’s solicitors over Will
Monday, May 17th, 2010
In May 2010, the Supreme Court refused to allow a man to sue his brother’s solicitors in a dispute over their grandmother’s Will. To allow this, they would have had to agree to lift the limitation period, within which claims must be brought.
Coping with the future now… Do you need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a document whereby you appoint a person or people to act upon your behalf in the event that you are unable to manage your financial property and affairs or make healthcare decisions. This article concentrates on LPAs applicable to your financial property and affairs.