50 years of the Inheritance Act 1975: is it time for reform?
At the time, the Act was revolutionary. For the first time, it recognised that surviving spouses – particularly women – deserved a fairer share of an estate, helping to prevent many from falling into financial hardship. The Act made the law fairer, but 50 years on, does the legislation still meet the needs of families […]
Rising estate values drive hike in contested Wills: what families need to know
As estates grow in value and family arrangements become more complex, more people are willing – and able – to dispute a Will when they feel they have not been treated fairly. While inheritance disputes can be stressful, costly and emotionally draining, many of them are preventable with careful planning and the right advice. Why […]
The underutilised weapon: why Financial Dispute Resolution should be standard in Chancery disputes
While the Family Division routinely uses the Financial Dispute Resolution (FDR) model to achieve swift, cost-effective settlements, its Chancery equivalent remains a valuable, yet significantly underused, resource. As the costs and delays associated with full trials in the Business and Property Courts continue to rise, now is the time for solicitors and litigants alike to […]
The hidden role of executors: when executors become the problem
“Wills are uncanny and electric documents. They lie dormant for years and then spring to life when their author dies, as if death were rain. Their effect on those they enrich is never negligible, and sometimes unexpectedly charged. They thrust living and dead into a final fierce clasp of love or hatred. But they are […]
Witnesses to Wills rules could extend to cohabiting couples
Currently, if someone is a witness to a Will and also receives a gift under that Will, then that gift is void (though the remainder of the Will is unaffected). The same rule applies if it is the witness’s spouse or civil partner receiving the gift. However, under the current law this does not apply […]
Could your crypto assets be lost after death? Why reform is urgently needed
Unlike traditional savings or investments, crypto currency doesn’t automatically pass to beneficiaries through the probate process. Without reform, millions of pounds’ worth of digital assets could simply be lost forever. Why crypto is different to other assets With most financial assets, probate processes are established. Banks, building societies and investment managers all have procedures that […]