Posts tagged “Estate Planning”

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Changes probate fees and inheritance tax in 2022

Posted on 7th January 2022

This month there will be changes to probate fees and the rules concerning inheritance tax.

Gifts to your family can bring unexpected inheritance tax bills

Posted on 21st December 2021

In a recent poll nearly half of respondents didn’t know anything about the rules concerning inheritance tax (IHT).

People giving gifts to their children and grandchildren could find they are liable to inheritance tax

What will the Health and Social Care Bill mean for older people?

Posted on 7th December 2021

Living costs aren't included in the government's cap on how much people will need to pay on their care costs

The Health and Care Bill was passed in the House of Commons on 22 November. It was then reviewed in detail by the House of Lords but several stages must still be completed before it receives Royal Assent, which is expected to be in April 2022.

Are online Wills worth the paper they aren’t written on?

Posted on 22nd October 2021

While most people in the UK believe their affairs are simple, their requirements are often quite complicated when it comes to their Will.

According to recently published research online Will writing services often fail to consider things that can significantly affect the details of your Will such as marital status, children, assets, business and property ownership, overseas property investments and disinheritance.

creating your Will on your laptop is easy but it might not be valid.

Understanding the care home fees cap

Posted on 30th September 2021

In 2014 the Care Act introduced a ‘care cap’ of £72,000 on the total you would be liable to pay for your care costs. It came in to effect in April 2020.

However, most people will have to spend much more before the cap is reached; often over £140,000.

Can I leave cryptocurrrency in my Will?

Posted on 13th April 2021

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum are digital – they can be bought, spent, saved, and sold.

Unlike money you might have an a bank account, cryptocurrency is handled using computer technology known as ‘blockchain’.

People store cryptocurrency in a digital wallet and they must have virtual keys to access it.

Why you need a Will for your business

Posted on 23rd February 2021

A valid Will makes it much easier for your executors to administer your estate when you die. Your friends and family will receive their inheritance as you intended, and people will be reassured that they understand your wishes.

There are almost six million businesses in the UK, most of them ranging from sole traders to businesses with around 10 employees, but many people don’t put the same measures in place for their business.

Trusts for bereaved children and young people

Posted on 29th December 2020

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.

A bereaved minor’s trust

A bereaved minor’s trust is created if you make a gift in your Will to your children on the condition that they reach the age of 18.

These trusts can only be created for your children or stepchildren. A grandparent, for example, can’t create this type of trust in their Will for their grandchildren.

The following conditions must be met:

at least one of the child’s parents must have died

the trust must have been created by a parent’s Will, intestacy, or under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

the trust must meet inheritance tax (IHT) conditions so that the child becomes absolutely entitled to the trust assets no later than their 18th birthday and, before then, the child benefits from any capital growth and income generated.

While the child is under 18, money generated by the trust can be saved or used for the child’s maintenance, education or other benefits. Trustees can therefore use any income and capital directly for the child or by paying the child’s surviving parent or guardian.

Protect your Spanish dream home for your heirs

Posted on 22nd July 2020

Since the 1960s, owning an idyllic holiday or retirement villa in a beautiful corner of Spain has been a dream for many people.

It’s estimated that 800,000 to 1 million homes in Spain are owned by British citizens, with over 380,000 living there full-time.

Many British property owners in Spain are retirees with grown-up families. If this sounds like you or a family member it is important to give some thought to what should happen to property and assets in the UK and in Spain.

Why use Angela Jane Will Writing?

Posted on 23rd May 2020

People are now more than ever realising that their affairs should be put in order. And with the situation as it currently is, there is a sharp rise in people suddenly jumping on the bandwagon and setting themselves up in their bedroom as Will Writers, offering cheap online Wills. So why should you choose someone like Angela Jane Will Writing over a online cheap will?