Blog
A blog from Harries Watkins Jones
News, information and explanations about Probate, Wills, Lasting Power of Attorney, Inheritance Tax and related topics, from our team of tax and legal experts. We hope you find them useful and informative. If you have any suggestions for future articles please let us know.
Probate Fees set to rise and increasing delays in the new online service
The Government is set to increase the current Probate fee to £273 for all applicants. Their argument being that it costs more to deal with the applications at the Probate Registry than the fees currently being charged.
However, at the same time the new online application process for obtaining a Grant of Probate has seen long delays…
Wills and the Digital Assets Dilemma
There are increasing concerns amongst Probate professionals in relation to accessing digital assets when dealing with estate administration. Recent research has discovered problems surrounding property rights to such assets.
Can anyone object to a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney is an important legal document and sets out your wishes as to whom you wish to act for you should you become incapacitated for whatever reason in the future. It provides your attorney with the power to make important decisions on your behalf.
What can cause Probate delays?
How long does Probate take is a common question people ask and in reality, there is no definite answer to this as each and every deceased person`s estate is unique to them.
Wills, Covid, Forgery and the Future
A recent case of Rainey v Weller illustrates this problem although this particular case predates the current Covid pandemic.
Can anyone see my Will after I die?
Your Will remains a private document until the Grant of Probate is obtained. Until that point it is only the executors who are entitled to see it.
Finding the Deceased’s assets
Most people will have kept paperwork when they die which makes it relatively easy for the executor to locate the deceased person’s assets.
Failure of Gifts in your Will
So, you`ve made your Will and decided who the beneficiaries should be and what gifts or legacies you wish to leave them. How many of you are aware of the all-too-common problems and pitfalls that can occur?
Can I deal with Probate on my own?
The simple answer is yes but there are a few things you need to be aware of before embarking solely in the role of an executor.
Can a person with Dementia make a Lasting Power Of Attorney?
A person with early symptoms of Dementia can still make a Lasting Power of Attorney or LPA as long as they have full mental capacity and understand fully what the document is for and what they are approving.
Can I draft my own Will?
The simple answer is yes and there are currently many self-drafted Wills currently being made. Numerous online sites are encouraging people to download a template and essentially have a go.
I want to provide for my Pet in my Will
The good news is that you can and with as many as 1 in 2 households owning a pet it should be an important consideration when planning your Will.
Sign up to our newsletter
By submitting your details you agree to receive email marketing from HWJ Wills and Probate and have read and understood our Privacy Notice. You can withdraw your consent or change your preferences at any time by emailing us or by clicking the link at the bottom of every email we send you.
For more information on how we can help please see our probate services, or if you have any queries please get in touch.
Give us a call
If you have any will and probate services questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with our friendly and supportive wills and probate services team. We're here for you.
