Wills and Estates
Unmarried couple? – why you need a Will
Today, more and more of us are choosing to stay as unmarried couples in a household. As a result, the number of unmarried couples living as a family has risen by 33%. Numerous cohabitee couples are not aware of the risk they may face, if their partner never draws up a Will. It is a common…
Read MoreChallenging a Will
English law recognises that we are free to leave our property to whomsoever we wish. A Will should reflect the wishes of the maker and in most cases that is true. Sometimes, however, a challenge is made. The four main reasons for challenging a Will are :- (a) the maker was unduly influenced by someone…
Read MoreYet another death tax – changes to Probate Court fees
In February 2016 the Government announced a rather short Consultation process about proposed increases in Probate Court Fees, so the fees you pay to the Probate Registry to obtain the issue of a Grant of Probate (if there is a Will) or a Grant of Letters of Administration (if there is no Will so the deceased…
Read MoreThe 2016 Budget – Capital Taxes
The 2016 Budget was an unusual one for those affected by or interested in Capital Taxation raised by Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (SFP). IHT hardly had a mention in the Budget. The big news, after all, was in the 2015 Budget when the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) was announced to supplement…
Read MoreThursfields’ Solicitor Achieves Prestigious STEP Qualification
Thomas Evans, Solicitor in the Wills and Probate team at Thursfields Worcester office has achieved his Diploma in Trusts and Estates from the Society of Estate and Trust Practitioners (STEP). This academic and professional qualification is highly recognised within the law industry and across 95 jurisdictions around the world. STEP is a niche worldwide professional…
Read MoreWills Week – Thursfields Make A Difference To Leukaemia CARE
Thursfields Worcester office, is helping to raise funds for local blood cancer charity, Leukaemia CARE, by encouraging people to make Wills during the week commencing 22nd February. The legal firm is offering its services and expertise to draw up a simple single Will or a couples’ Will free of charge, but recommends that anyone making…
Read MoreGifting to charity in your Will – options, considerations and action…
Making a Will is the best way to ensure that your family, dependants and any other loved ones will be provided for. It is also an opportunity for you to consider making a charitable gift in support of one or maybe more causes that have meant something to you in your lifetime. Such a gift…
Read MoreDeath Bed Gifts – the importance of an up to date Will
The recent appeal case of King v Chiltern Dog Rescue & Redwings Horse Sanctuary reinforces the importance of having an up to date Will. This case concerned the gift of the deceased’s house to her nephew by way of handing over the Title Deeds to her property when she was nearing the end of her…
Read MoreHave you got a Lasting Power of Attorney?
If the answer is no, you are not alone! Since being introduced in 2007, the take up on Lasting Powers of Attorney has been relatively low. There may be many reasons for this but most clients say it is due to not realising how important they can be and their fear that the process will…
Read MoreWhen Is A Will Not A Will
The law has long recognised that one is allowed to leave one’s property to whomsoever one wishes to leave it. A Will is called a Will for a reason. It reflects the wishes of the maker. In most cases that is indeed true and there are a number of other reasons why we all ought…
Read More