The High Court has found in favour of an 83-year-old widow who contested the will of her husband of 66 years, awarding her a share of his estate, valued at more than £1 million. In…
What is contentious probate – and why might you challenge a will?
Contentious probate refers to a dispute relating to the way a deceased person’s estate is administered. Put simply, it is a disagreement that occurs after someone has passed away about the validity of their will…
What does it mean to be an executor of a will?
The executor of a will is a person responsible for dealing with the estate of a deceased person. The executor is named by the person making the will, the testator, as being responsible for dealing…
Could gifting money to your family lead to unexpected tax bills?
The rules on inheritance tax are not simple, and with an increasing number of people making plans to pass money on to their children and grandchildren, there are several considerations to be aware of to…
A guide to inheritance tax: latest thresholds 2021/22
Recent studies by the financial services sector have shown that in the past year, there was a 38 percent increase in demand for advice on inheritance tax planning. A combination of mortality concerns during the…
Important case highlights the complexities of probate law
One of our partners, Simon Thomas – ACTAPS member and specialist in contentious probate and trusts here at Hutchinson Thomas, was involved (successfully instructing the defendant) in a highly unusual and complex case which was…
What you need to know when dealing with probate property
Understanding the intricacies of probate can be a complicated business – particularly when applied to a property following the death of a loved one. What are the things to consider, and pitfalls to avoid, when…
From social media photos and iTunes to bitcoin — can you make provision for digital assets in your will?
In today’s tech-focused world, an increasing amount of our lives is taking place online. So, there is understandably a growing interest in how our digital assets may be dealt with when we pass away. Digital…
The ten most important reasons for making a will
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…