Many people put off making a will until later in life, not wanting to think about the topic when they are still relatively young and in good health. However, there are many good reasons for…
Video-witnessed wills to be made legal
New government legislation, amending the Wills Act 1837, will state that remote witnessing of wills is to be made legal during the coronavirus pandemic. Here, Louise Williams, partner at Hutchinson Thomas, looks at the reasons…
Inheritance case ruling based on which parent died first
A recent inheritance case between two stepsisters based on which of their parents passed away first has been determined by the High Court, which by using a 1925 law, ruled that the younger parent legally outlived…
New law will assist families of missing loved ones
A new law is set to come into force on 31 July 2019 that will help families of loved ones who have been missing for 90 days or more. The Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act, known…
How can you safeguard your digital assets upon your death?
A recent case involving a widow who wanted access to her late husband’s digital data has once again highlighted the importance of keeping a will up to date. Rachel Thompson sought access to photos and…
DIY wills: are they really the easy option?
Do it yourself (DIY) wills have become more and more popular over recent years. Yet with their popularity has come a rise in contentious will and probate matters. The legal requirements of a will are…
Inconsistencies in out of time Inheritance Act claims
There has been much confusion of late concerning the Inheritance (provision for family and dependents) Act 1975, following two recent cases that saw differing judgements regarding out of time claims. There is a strict six-month…
The importance of updating your will after a life changing event
It may surprise you that many people don’t have a will, so the idea of changing an existing will may be something that has never crossed your mind. Yet the importance of having a will…
Lasting power of attorney: who decides?
It can be difficult to consider that one day you may no longer have the ability to make decisions for yourself. Yet the reality is that these circumstances can and do occur, highlighting how important…
Why professional help is best when writing a will
The idea of writing a will can be a difficult consideration for many people. Yet perhaps what is more distressing is the thought of leaving loved ones without the financial security you would have wished…