Considering equity release? Here’s why LPAs are important

Posted on 12th August 2022

Like this doll's house, you home contains everything that's important so make sure you protect yourself if you are planning equity release.

Market analysis by mortgage broker, Henry Dannell, shows that homeowners in the UK have already released up to £1.4billion of equity in their properties so far in 2022.

Also known as later life mortgages, over 12,500 of us have chosen to use some of the value of our property to reduce our bills, improve our quality of life, or help a family member. That’s an increase of more than 20% compared with the same period in 2021. The figure could reach 50,000 by the end of the year amounting to almost £5.6billion of equity.

Why you should use legacy tools for your digital assets

Posted on 27th July 2022

We are all being urged to plan what will happen to our ‘digital memories’ by the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). These might include irreplaceable photos, videos, social media profiles and email accounts. If you don’t make arrangements before your death these could all be lost.

Social media accounts contain a lot of meaningful content that could be lost when someone dies

Trusts for bereaved children and young people

Posted on 13th July 2022

If you make a gift to a young person in your Will which they receive when they reach a certain age you will create either a bereaved minor’s trust or a bereaved young person’s trust, depending on their age.

Why writing a Will is important if you live in the historic Duchy of Cornwall

Posted on 15th June 2022

The Duchy or Cornwall receives the property of residents who die without a Will or heirs

During this month’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations Prince Charles has had a high profile.

Amongst his possessions as the Queen’s oldest son is the Duchy of Cornwall, which he inherited when he became Duke of Cornwall in 1962 and which he runs as a private estate.

Inheritance tax paid by families has doubled in a decade

Posted on 27th May 2022

The amount of inheritance tax (IHT) families pay has more than doubled in a decade.

Increasing house prices have added to the amount of Inheritance Tax paid by families

Can your next of kin access your digital devices?

Posted on 29th April 2022

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) is supporting a campaign to give bereaved families access to their loved ones’ digital assets.

Friends and family might not be able to access your digital devices when you die

House of Lords rejects care cap proposals for a second time

Posted on 12th April 2022

the proposed care cap could mean poorer people have less to leave to their families.

In March the House of Lords voted against changes to the way we pay for our care that could mean poorer people have much less to leave to their families.

Funeral costs have fallen

Posted on 25th March 2022

There have been widespread concerns in the UK for many years about the cost of funerals. The Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) review has been delayed during the pandemic and expected controls are not yet in place.

Dementia cases will increase

Posted on 11th March 2022

By 2050 1.6million people in the UK could have dementia

Research shows that more than 153million people around the world could have dementia by 2050. That’s almost three times the 2019 figure.

Your Will can still be witnessed via video

Posted on 28th February 2022

Vulnerable people across England and Wales can continue to have their Wills witnessed via video link until January 2024. In the meantime, the Law Commission will continue to consider reforms concerning Wills, including whether to make these changes permanent.