BLOG - Wills

• New legislation permits “Video Wills” during Covid-19

  

  07 Aug, 2020 Posted By: Lisa Morgan

  You may have read our blog about making or changing your Will under lockdown, which addressed some of the most common queries raised -if you haven’t you can find it here.  At that time of reporting, witnessing a Will by using video-conferencing such as Zoom, Skype, Facetime was not permitted. However, on 25 July 2020, the government changed... read more.
  Tags: Wills , Wills and Probate , Private Client

• Making or changing your Will under Lockdown

  

  21 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Lisa Morgan

  As the UK’s lockdown continues for another three weeks, and  with the likelihood of the restrictions remaining in place for the foreseeable future, the Private Client department at FDC Law have seen an increase of interest in making and updating Wills. We have put together a short blog to answer the most common enquiries raised as to... read more.
  Tags: Private Client , Wills and Probate , Wills

• Do not let the rise in Statutory Legacy put you off making a Will

  

  17 Jan, 2020 Posted By: Emma Williams

  A Statutory Legacy is a Legacy a Spouse or Civil Partner will receive from an intestate estate.  From 6th February 2020, that figure will rise from £250,000 to £270,000 in line with inflation. The law society has issued a press release explaining what this means; “If someone dies without making a will – also known... read more.
  Tags: Wills , Wills and Probate , Power of Attorney

• Dying in the Digital Age

  

  11 Dec, 2017 Posted By: Leanna Haskell

  Over the past five years, internet use amongst the over 65’s has increased substantially and figures are expected to rise dramatically over the next decade as an increasingly tech savvy population ages.  The question of what happens to our online presence when we die has never been so important.  What is a Digital Asset and why are... read more.
  Tags: Capacity , Inheritance , Probate

• Inheritance Tax. The Law is Changing

  

  29 Nov, 2016 Posted By: D.Collins

  Last year alone the Inland Revenue collected £4,643,000,000 in Inheritance Tax. If you would like to reduce the contribution you make to that sum, it’s important to plan ahead and to think about Inheritance Tax when you make your will, and to review your plans when the government makes changes to the rules. The tax is payable by estates... read more.
  Tags: Tax , Wills and Probate , Wills

• Our private client department is expanding.

  

  27 Apr, 2016 Posted By: D.Collins

  The Partners  at FDC Law are pleased to announce that Leanna Knight has joined FDC Law Frome, as a member of the Private Client Department.   Leanna is a native of Frome and, she says, is delighted to be returning to her home turf to work! She  obtained her law degree from Bournemouth University, and has previously worked... read more.
  Tags: Frome , Inheritance , Intestacy

• Proposed New Stealth Tax on Estates

  

  25 Feb, 2016 Posted By: D. Little

  The Ministry of Justice have recently issued a consultation paper with their proposals to reform the application fees for Grants of Representation (The application made for Probate or letters of administration, to allow you, as their executor or administrator, to deal with their estate)  in England & Wales.    The MoJ propose... read more.
  Tags: Inheritance , Private Client , Probate

• Helping Charities in your Will

  

  11 Dec, 2015 Posted By: D.Collins

  According to recent research carried out for the Cabinet Office and Charities Aid Foundation, around 35% of people want to give money to charity when they die, but in practice only around 7% do so.   Part of this is, no doubt, due to the number of us who put off making a will – around 1 in 3 people in the UK die without a will,... read more.
  Tags: Charity , Private Client , Wills

• An End to Disinheritance?

  

  21 Aug, 2015 Posted By: D.Collins

  Many of you will have seen the news headlines about the will of Mrs Melita Jackson, which was successfully challenged by her daughter, Mrs Ilott, recently.   Mrs Jackson was a widow, her husband having died in an industrial accident before their only child was born. She fell out with her daughter over her daughter’s relationship with,... read more.
  Tags: Wills , Private Client , Wills and Probate

• Inheritance Act Changes

  

  10 Jul, 2015 Posted By: D.Collins

  The Chancellor, George Osborne announced in his budget on Wednesday that he will effectively raise the individual inheritance tax threshold from £325,000 to £500,000 for those with a family home. Married couples and civil partners may therefore be able to pass on estates to their children or grandchildren  worth up to £1million... read more.
  Tags: Private Client , Wills and Probate , Wills

• Changes To Intestacy Rules – But Do You Know Where Your Money Would Go?

  

  01 Oct, 2014 Posted By: D.Collins

  The law about intestacy (what happens if you die without a will) is changing on 1st October, but you may still be surprised to learn who would (and who wouldn’t)  be entitled to inherit if you don’t leave a will. If you are not married to your partner, he or she  won’t automatically get anything if you die without a will,... read more.
  Tags: Wills , Wills and Probate , Private Client

• The Risks of Unregulated Will-Writers

  

  18 Jul, 2014 Posted By: D.Collins

  You may have seen news reports recently that a Will-Writer,  Keith Webber, has been ordered by a court to repay over £360,000 he stole from the estates of his clients.  Webber was also convicted of fraud and theft and given a 5 year prison sentence.  Unlike Solicitors, who are subject to very strict regulation, will-writers... read more.
  Tags: Wills , Wills and Probate