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Wills and Planning Ahead

Private Client

Summary

Topic hub for Private Client — 41 wiki pages extracted from approved sources.

Key information

  • Applying for probate - practical guide — Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging time, often compounded by the complexities of administering their.
  • Charity trust disputes — Charity disputes require particularly careful handling due to the combination of trust law, charity law requirements.
  • Contesting a will - grounds, process and risks — Disputing a will can be a complex and emotionally charged process. In England and Wales, a will can be challenged on.
  • Declaration of trust for property — A Declaration of Trust is a legal document, usually entered into at the time 2 or more parties are about to complete a.
  • Deed of variation for a will — Varying a will after death typically allows beneficiaries of a will or intestacy (when someone dies without a will) to.
  • Digital assets and probate — Digital assets are essentially your online accounts and photos. We should all think about what will happen to these.
  • Discretionary trusts — A discretionary trust is a type of trust where the trustees have discretionary powers (which may be broad or limited by.
  • Dying without a will - Intestacy explained — Intestacy under English Law refers to the situation where a person dies without leaving a valid will. In such cases.
  • Estate Planning: Protecting Your Assets & Wishes — If something happened to you tomorrow, would the people you care about be protected? Estate planning is often put off.
  • Executor negligence — Executors are legally responsible for managing a deceased person’s estate, collecting assets, paying debts and taxes.
  • How can the court interpret an ambiguous or defective will? — Your Will is probably the most important document that you will ever put your name to. Therefore, it is crucial that it.
  • How dementia affects your loved ones Will? — Losing someone close to you can be incredibly difficult. Especially if you're responsible for handling funeral.
  • How to remove a trustee and why — The legal grounds and power to remove trustees are contained in various statutes, common law (case law) and potentially.
  • How to remove an executor — We have a highly experienced team of specialist lawyers who deal with probate, estate administration and probate.
  • How to Set Up and Maintain a Trust — Setting up and maintaining a trust requires careful planning to ensure it operates effectively and remains compliant.
  • How to stop your will from being challenged — Recent years have seen an increase in contentious probate cases in England and Wales, with more individuals challenging.
  • IHT and probate - how it works, problems and risks — Where inheritance tax is or may be payable on an estate, matters can get quite confusing and complicated in terms of.
  • Inheritance Act claims lawyer guide — Claims under the 1975 Act arise when a Will, or the rules of Intestacy, fail to provide reasonable financial support to.
  • Inheritance claim if you are left out of a will — Generally, under English law, a person making a will can leave his or her assets to anyone they choose. However, there.
  • Legal issues when selling a house or property before or during probate — Dealing with property as part of an estate can quickly become complex. What may seem like a straightforward sale or.
  • Letters of administration - how it works and possible complications with no will — Letters of Administration applies when there is no will (legally known as dying intestate) or when there is a will but.
  • Life interest trusts — Life interest trusts remain an important estate planning tool in the UK legal landscape, providing flexibility and.
  • Making a will when you have stepchildren — Many families include children from previous marriages. Testators from such families often want to ensure that both.
  • Making a will with international assets — Many people have assets abroad, such as a holiday home, foreign bank account or shares listed on a foreign stock.
  • Mirror wills — Mirror wills are essentially identical legal documents created by a couple that reflect each other's wishes. Typically.
  • Priscilla Presley Contests Validity of Lisa Marie's Will — Priscilla Presley, widow of Elvis, is challenging an amendment to the will of their daughter Lisa Marie. We discuss.
  • Probate Loans and Inheritance Advances: How Legal Advice Can Help — When someone dies, their estate can take many months to administer. During this time, funds are often tied up, leaving.
  • Property protection trusts - uses, pros, cons and risks — Property Protection Trusts can be created during your lifetime or in a will. Due to their complexity and cost and the.
  • Retaining Control or Influence When Setting Up a Trust — While trusts are widely used for succession planning and family wealth management, they require a genuine transfer of.
  • Spouse bypass trusts — A spousal bypass trust is an arrangement that lets pension benefits bypass the surviving spouse's estate for.
  • TOLATA claims — TOLATA claims often arise when a relationship between individuals breaks down and they disagree about the ownership of.
  • Trust disputes — Trust disputes can devastate family relationships and deplete trust assets if not handled properly. Charity trustee.
  • Urgent, emergency or interim Probate Applications — When someone dies, the probate process can take time. In more complex estates, it may take many months. However, where.
  • Valuing an estate for probate - importance and risks of getting it wrong — Valuing an estate can be complex and is a crucial step in estate administration. The basic process is to determine the.
  • What are the Key Strategies for Reducing Inheritance Tax? — Inheritance Tax (IHT) can be a significant concern for individuals planning their estates, as it is a tax imposed on.
  • What Changes have there been to Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and Unused Pension Funds? — On October 30, 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget, which included important adjustments to the.
  • What Happens During Probate - Step-by-Step Timeline — Probate is the legal process that allows someone to deal with a person’s estate after they die. It can feel daunting.
  • What happens when someone dies without a Will? — The most important document to look for when somebody dies is their Will. Sometimes, however, you might not be able to.
  • What is inheritance tax and how can it be managed effectively? — Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax imposed on the estate of a deceased person before the assets are distributed to their.
  • What is the difference between a Mutual and Mirror Will? — While you may have heard people refer to making a ‘Joint Will’ with their partner or spouse, these documents do not in.
  • What Should You Know About Probate? — When someone dies leaving a valid will, it is common for an application to be made for probate. This process is.

Practical guidance

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Related topics

ProbateWills and Planning AheadProbate and InheritancePrivate Client

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This is signposting information from the Legal Shaman wiki, not legal advice. Always consult a qualified solicitor for your situation.

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