Featured Articles
Part 1 | What is Probate?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Use a Probate Service? Part 1 | What is Probate? Welcome to Part 1 of our 'Why should I use a Probate Service?' series. In this...
Part 7 | What are the rules about writing a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Part 7 | What are the rules about writing a Lasting Power of Attorney? Welcome to Part 7 of our...
Part 6 | Who can write a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Part 6 | Who can write a Lasting Power of Attorney? Welcome to part 6 of our 'Why Should I Have a...
Risk of inheritance battles grows after surge in people dying without wills
Risk of inheritance battles grows after surge in people dying without wills Exclusive figures show 60p jump in people dying during the pandemic without setting out their last wishesfacebooktwitterlinkedinWhy Should I Write a Will? In this video, Steve Worsfold and...
Part 5 | What is included in a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Part 5 | What is included in a Lasting Power of Attorney? | Sussex Will Writers Welcome to Part 5...
Getting started as an attorney or deputy
Getting started as an attorney or deputy Helpful advice from The Office of the Public Guardian https://publicguardian.blog.gov.uk/2021/03/09/getting-started-as-an-attorney-or-deputy/ facebooktwitterlinkedinCould you do with some FREE, sound advice on: Writing a...
How much does it cost to have a Lasting Power of Attorney written?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Part 4 - How much does it cost to have a Lasting Power of Attorney written? Welcome to Part...
Don’t Sleepwalk into Intestacy
From: Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers Office: 01903 533681Email: info@sussexwillwriters.co.uk Intestacy is dying without a Will. Intestacy means the state dictates the distribution of your estate. The laws of intestacy have little regard to your family...
Is there anyone who doesn’t need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Part 3 - Is there anyone who doesn't need a Lasting Power of Attorney? In our third video...
Lasting Powers of Attorney and Discretionary Managed Funds
From: Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers What are ‘Discretionary Managed Funds’? ‘Discretionary Managed Funds’ refer to when an investment professional known as a Discretionary Fund Manager, commonly known as a stockbroker or wealth manager, builds and manages a...
Probate Registry Timescales
From: Steve Worsfold at Sussex Will Writers PROBATE REGISTRY TIMESCALES FEBRUARY 2021 Timescales at the Probate Registry and for the Probate service overall have been fluctuating ever since the controversial announcement was made back in 2018 to increase the Probate...
What Could Happen If You Don’t Have a Property and Financial Affairs LPA in Place?
From: The Society of Will Writers In this article, we’ll take a look at the Property and Financial Affairs LPA, and what the consequences of not having one of those are. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document which...
The Dangers of a DIY Will
From: The Society of Will Writers In our first article of the year, we looked at the reasons why you should make a Will (if you have not already of course) and what a Will enables you to do i.e. appoint guardians and specify how your estate should be distributed and...
Lasting Power of Attorney and the COVID Vaccine
A new post, “Lasting Power of Attorney and the COVID Vaccine” has just been published on the Office of the Public Guardian blog. This update from the OPG addresses some of the questions people may have about what happens if someone does not have mental capacity and is...
What Happens if I Don’t Have a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney - Part 2 What Happens if I Don't Have a Lasting Power of Attorney? Welcome to Part 2 of our 'Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney?' series. In this video Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins will be discussing the...
Weird Wills – Having the Last Laugh
Shakespeare's Will Crown Copyright courtesy of The National Archivesby Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers Writing a will is an important task and one that shouldn’t be neglected. A Will is there to distribute your estate to the people you want to inherit and to...
The Protection of Powers of Attorney
by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers People who make Wills know that, unfortunately, they will always come into effect eventually – after all death is one of the few certainties. We all hope however, that we will retain our physical and mental abilities throughout...
Why Should I have a Lasting Power of Attorney?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing and Estate Planning. Why Should I Have a Lasting Power of Attorney?Part 1 In our second Video, we take a closer look at Lasting Power of Attorney and Steve explains...
Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2021
Welcome to the Sunlife Cost of Dying Report 2021 With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting every walk of life in 2020, we knew that 2021’sCost of Dying report was going to be a little different. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is that the cost of a basic funeralhas...
Britain’s Most Hated Tax
by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers It is no Longer Possible to Confidently Predict the Inheritance Tax (IHT) Payable on Your Estate Without a Review of Your Will. New research has revealed that Inheritance Tax (IHT) rates in the UK are more than double the EU...
Video Series Part 1 – Why Should I Write a Will?
Video Series - Featuring Steve Worsfold and Mike Jenkins Welcome to our Video Series on Will Writing. In this first video, Mike Jenkins talks to Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers about the various reasons for writing a Will. In the video, Steve shares his 17 years...
Choosing A Guardian for Your Children
by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers Most of us have probably come across the term “guardian” or “guardianship,” but have you ever stopped to think about whether this is something you need to put in place? As a parent, it may be something you think you may never...
Do You Need to Review Your Will?
by Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers Well done – you’ve written your Will! But when was the last time you reviewed it? We recommend that you review your Will every 5 years. Have your circumstances changed ? If you answer “Yes” to any of the following questions,...
The Move to Modernise the Process of Making and Registering Lasting Powers of Attorney
from The Will Company The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) have jointly initiated a project to modernise the process of making and registering Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), which may include an element of digitisation. They...
The Will Company and Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers
Stephen Oliver at The Will Company speaks with Steve Worsfold of Sussex Will Writers. Steve Worsfold Affiliate Member of the Society of Will Writers Advising on Wills/Trusts/Probate/Powers of Attorney Mobile: 07734 744886 Office: 01903 533681 Email:...
Who Has Parental Responsibility After You Die?
Although not a pleasant thought, when planning for the future it's not just the financials that need to be discussed. If you have children, what happens to them if the unthinkable occurs, should also be considered. For example, who will look after them and where they...
Delays to Lasting Powers of Attorney Registrations
We have been informed by the IPW (Institute of Professional Will Writers) that due to the current situation, registration for Lasting Powers of Attorney is taking 18 to 20 weeks - a vast increase from the usual 10 weeks. Don't delay your application any longer...
What is a Business LPA and why should you have one?
Should You Consider a Business LPA? Steve Worsfold explains the benefits of a business LPA. LPAs are becoming more and more widely discussed and awareness is increasing generally with more stories in the media about people living longer and some of the horror...
Use a lasting power of attorney – your questions answered
Since we launched the Use a lasting power of attorney service on 17 July, we’ve received lots of questions from people wanting to know more information on how the service works and how it is helping our customers. We’ve put these questions to Caroline (Kaz) Hufton...
Inheritance Tax receipts decrease for the first time in a decade
In a recent report from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), it was shown that the amount of income generated from Inheritance Tax (IHT) decreased to £5.2 billion last year, which is a decrease of £223 million or 4%. This was the first decrease in a decade. The last...
Temporary Coronavirus Law Allows Witnessing of Wills on Video
A temporary law allowing wills to be witnessed over video has sparked warnings it could leave vulnerable people open to abuse and lead to more legal challenges. The Government plans to legalise the remote witnessing of wills and backdate the measure to 31 January –...
Wills, probate and estate administration in a COVID-19 world
It’s no secret - the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has posed several challenges to almost every aspect of our lives. The Wills and probate industry is no exception. Processes, laws and timelines have all been pushed to their limits over the past few months as we...
Office of the Public Guardian – We’ve launched the new ‘Use a lasting power of attorney’ service
In recent months it's become much clearer just how important our online services are. With the world going online to communicate and collaborate we’ve been working behind the scenes to make the lives of donors and attorneys easier. We want to offer more support to...
Covid-19: Avoid the Temptation of a DIY Will
With the current climate of social distancing and avoiding mixing with people outside of your household as much as possible it might be tempting to consider writing your own will. After all, you may feel this is safer as you avoid the need to travel out to visit a...
Lasting Power of Attorney Prevent Cases of Snatch by State
In April 2009, great-grandmother Betty Figg was snatched from her home by social workers against the wishes of her daughter, her former carer. Social workers arrived with police and a battering ram to remove the 86 year-old woman, suffering from dementia, from her...
Number of Charitable Estates Down in 2019
In 2018 total legacy income had reached a new milestone and was worth over £3bn. In 2019 reported legacy income reached the same milestone. This year reported legacy income is £2.9bn and it is estimated that total legacy income is between £3bn and £3.1bn. 4% of total...
Providing for a Vulnerable Relative
Solicitor Lynne Bradey, shares her thoughts on providing for your vulnerable relatives. One question that gets regularly asked from family members – often parents – is how best to provide for their children who are deemed vulnerable. Here we look at the best way to...
Bereavement Scheme Extended for NHS and Social Care Staff
Friday 29th May 2020 This week, an announcement by the Home Office revealed that the Bereavement Scheme was being extended to provide indefinite leave for families and dependants of social care workers and NHS support staff who sadly die due to the corona virus. The...
The niche issue of jointly owned property and Lasting Power of Attorney
If you are a couple and are thinking about making an LPA for your property & financial affairs you may well want to appoint each other as attorneys. Often, spouses want to appoint each other as sole attorneys initially. While you may be happy for your children or...
NHS & Frontline Workers to Benefit from Inheritance Tax Exemption Scheme
A little known scheme that exempts members of the armed forces and the emergency services from being subject to Inheritance Tax (IHT) if they die in the line of duty has been extended to NHS workers and front line staff who die as a result of coronavirus in the line...
Five Top Tips to Ensure Your LPA Registration is not Rejected
Almost 22,000 Lasting Powers of Attorney rejected Here are 5 tips to ensure you register one that works Find out how to secure an LPA and learn about the rules on signing and witnessing during the coronavirus lockdown from: Julie Ball at Which? Consumer Magazine News...
NHS and Care Workers Discount on All Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney
Special Offer for NHS Staff and Care Workers In recognition of the dedication, service and valuable work of all our NHS staff and care workers, Sussex Will Writers are offering a 10% discount on all Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. For a typical Joint Will and...
Bulletin Update – Residence Nil Rate Band Increased
From today (6 April 2020) the Residence Nil Rate Band (RNRB) is increased to £175,000 per person, up from £150,000 per person. This remains transferable between married couples and civil partners so the total RNRB available may be £350,000 in some cases. Please bear...
Witnesses for Signing Your Will During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Will Writers Designated Key Workers Despite restrictions imposed because of remote working, the industry is committed to embracing its key worker status. Together with our partners and colleagues, Sussex Will Writers are sharing some of the good practice we are...
Pandemic Leads to Increase in Will Writing Enquiries
JENNIFER VAN DEURSEN from Today's Wills and Probate takes a closer look at the 30% increase in the usual requests to create Wills during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and explores why in this insightful article. The Law Society has reported that there has been a...
COVID-19-Update
Sussex Will Writers are aware that the ongoing development of the coronavirus health crisis is a growing concern for the nation and people are recommended to take precautionary action to stay safe. We are taking the coronavirus very seriously and are able to carry out...
8 life changes that should trigger a Will update
Life isn’t predictable nor does it happen in any specific order. Some people may get married at 21 or others at 60. Some may get divorced while others may have an opportunity to move to a new continent every few years. Whatever path we are led down in life, there is...
Disputes Over Wills Continue to Rise
Disputes over Wills and inheritance have soared in recent years, with the number of cases reaching the England and Wales High Court increasing dramatically during the last decade. According to Direct Line Life Insurance, 12.6 million British adults would be prepared...
Myths about Lasting Powers of Attorney
Myths about Lasting Powers of Attorney There are lots of myths, assumptions and misunderstanding around the law of Lasting Powers of Attorney. This article seeks to identify those assumptions and to state clearly what the law says about the management of your...
Mixed Sex Couples Can Now Choose
Civil Partnership or Marriage? It’s now official – heterosexual couples in England and Wales can formalise their relationship with a civil partnership rather than marriage. Civil partnerships were first introduced through the Civil Partnerships Act 2004 and was only...
How to Contest a Will
It is such a shame that in todays’ society, will disputes are becoming increasingly common. Reasons for this of course vary but it is generally down to “who gets what” and the value of the estate which is involved in the decision making when contesting a Will. When a...
Are Deathbed Gifts Valid in a Will?
Sometimes, a gift is given by a person who contemplates that they may die soon. This is known as a “gift in contemplation of death” but is commonly referred to by its Latin translation of “donatia mortis causa.” A gift of this type is ordinarily made by people who are...
The Rising Cost of Death – More People Are Having to Pay Inheritance Tax
A recent report by the Taxpayers’ Alliance projects that the government will receive £5.35 billion in Inheritance Tax from grieving relatives in the 2019 to 2020 tax year. This is the highest amount of Inheritance Tax ever collected in by the government and it’s...
10 Myths About Wills
We recently had a look at some myths with Lasting Powers of Attorney, so here are 10 common misconceptions about writing a Will. 1. “I already have a will – I don’t need a new one” You already have a will in place. Great! Do you know where it is? Even if you have a...
Probate Fees Increase is Dropped
On Monday 14th October the Secretary of State for Justice, Robert Buckland, announced that the proposal to dramatically increase probate fees will be withdrawn after months of awaiting parliamentary approval. The new increased charges were dubbed a ‘death tax’ and...
Our storage company Store Safe has had an upgrade!
We are pleased to announce that we have since upgraded the Store Safe website to accommodate different types of new clients and to make our services easier to access for our existing clients. With Store Safe, not only is your Will held in a secure facility, but you...
Could Inheritance Tax be Scrapped?
At a Conservative conference fringe event organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Chancellor Sajid Javid hinted that he could cut Inheritance Tax. After being asked whether he would scrap the tax, Sajid Javid shared how he...
Cohabiting couple families continue to grow
The latest family and household figures released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal that the number of cohabiting couple families continues to grow. Between 2008 to 2018, there has been a 25.8% increase in families of this type. Cohabiting couple...
The effect of divorce or dissolution on your Will
Many of you will already be aware that marriage revokes a Will unless it is clear that you were making it in contemplation of marriage, but did you know that divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership also has an effect on your Will? Section 18A of the Wills...
Handwritten Will found under sofa cushion in Aretha Franklin’s home
Aretha Franklin died on the 16th of August 2018 at the age of 76 after an ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer. Recent news reports have now revealed how a handwritten Will has been discovered under a sofa cushion in the Queen of Soul’s home in Detroit. To ensure the...