Posts tagged “Wills”

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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.

How long will probate take?

Posted on 9th February 2021

We’re told that waiting times for grants of probate have now been reduced to around five weeks.

HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) says that the number of grants issued each week is now higher than the number of applications being received.

If you apply for probate online, an option that was introduced in November last year, you should only have to wait around four weeks. If there aren’t any errors or omissions in the application, it could even be handled in a week.

If you submit the paper forms instead, you should receive your grant within eight weeks.

However, this is just the beginning of the process of administering an estate on behalf of a friend or family member.

Reducing errors in online probate applications

Posted on 27th November 2020

HM Courts and Tribunals Services (HMCTS) have published a guide to help reduce potential errors in online probate applications.

On average, over a third of applications for probate are ‘stopped’ by HMCTS because they are missing documentation or essential information.

Challenges to historic Wills

Posted on 18th November 2020

black and gold pen and Last Will and Testament

There are reports that challenges to historic Wills have increased by up to 400% this year.

In some cases, challenges are being made several years after an estate has been settled.

People are enquiring about the possibility of challenging the Wills of friends and family members, believing they have a claim to money or assets, although they weren’t declared at the time.

What is the Bereavement Standard?

Posted on 23rd October 2020

Some of the UK’s biggest banks, building societies and insurance companies are discussing how to improve services for bereaved customers.

More than 60 organisations, including major banks, intermediaries and brokers are involved in creating a new Bereavement Standard.

Caveat and probate

Posted on 9th October 2020

Did you know that a caveat can be used to prevent a grant of probate?

What could this mean for your friends and family?

What is a caveat?

A caveat is used to ask someone to suspend an action. In the case of your Will, it could be used to stop your executors obtaining a grant of probate. If you don’t have a Will, it could be used to prevent your family obtaining letters of administration.

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.

Do you want to provide for a vulnerable relative?

Posted on 3rd June 2020

Family members, most frequently parents, worry about how to provide for a relative who is, or who could become, vulnerable.

Who is vulnerable?

Of course, we could all become vulnerable at some point in our lives due to accident, illness, or changes in our circumstances.

However, more generally someone could be described as vulnerable if they:

aren’t educationally or emotionally mature for their age

don’t understand how to manage their finances

depend on ‘means tested’ benefits for their day to day needs because they are unable to work, for example.

How technology can help you make a valid Will

Posted on 25th May 2020

two people speaking in a video conference

Technology can help you to make a Will during the current measures to manage the coronavirus outbreak.

Here are some things to think about.

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?