Have you unexpectedly been left out of a Will?
Losing a loved one can be very difficult. It can be made worse to find out that you have unexpectedly been left out of their will. It is becoming more and more common that people are wanting to challenge wills. More than ever, families are more extended, with step...
Probate fee hike dropped
In the spring budget in March, the government proposed to dramatically raise probate fees. The current fee is £215 (or £155 if done by a solicitor). The proposals would have seen fees on a sliding scale of £300 to £20,000, based on the estate’s value. The news...
Inheritance Tax changes – Now’s the time to review your will
The Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules are going to be changing next month with the introduction of a new allowance, the RESIDENTIAL NIL RATE BAND (RNRB). Andrew Milburn, the Head of our Wills and Probate department, explains the changes, and offers an opinion on how it...
Challenging a will: Ilott v Blue Cross and Others
We have previously written about testamentary freedom and the Court of Appeal’s decision in Ilott v Mitson [2015]. Since then, there has been an appeal to the Supreme Court, which has redefined the principles again. We will look at the Supreme Court’s decision,...