Featured Articles
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...
Inheritance and Will Writing News
- Dealing with Elderly Clients
- Fantastic News for Donors & Attorneys of Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Football hero, Diego Maradona’s complicated financial legacy
- The Move to Modernise the Process of Making and Registering Lasting Powers of Attorney
- TV & radio presenter, Caroline Flack, left no plans for her £2m estate
- Kate Garraway’s story shines the spotlight on the importance of an LPA
- Charity Legacies from Wealthy Individuals on the Rise
- Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
- Wills & IHT: A Constant Review Need
- Gifts Under an LPA: It is Important to Know the Background Here
- Another Four Weeks!!
- Would You Like to Swap?
- ‘Sort this One Out!’
- Contesting a Will
- Unusual Capacity Considerations