Disputes regarding Wills are becoming increasingly common due to the value of the estates involved, so how do you contest a will? Well, continued increases in property prices have also contributed to this problem, in this post we give some ideas as to how someone could contest a will. There are various reasons for someone …
Should you Review your Existing Will?
TRF Wills recommends that you review your existing will & estate plan every 3-5 years. This is to make sure that your Will still matches your wishes. We also recommend reviewing your planning when you have a change in your personal circumstances or when a beneficiary has a change in their circumstances. Many a bitter …
Inheritance Tax Avoidance – Devon Wills
Inheritance tax (IHT) is payable upon death or at certain stages during lifetime. For the purposes of this post, we will look at the IHT charge payable upon death which relates to the deceased’s estate. Upon death, the Executors will calculate the value of the estate including the value of any assets i.e., property or …
Investment Property Values and how to protect these from Inheritance Tax
It is widely recognized that although most ongoing active businesses are exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT) upon the death of the owner(s) or controlling shareholder(s), those businesses where the main activity relates to investment property or properties are NOT exempt from potential IHT liability, so how do you protect from inheritance tax? However, all is …
Investment Property Values and how to protect these from Inheritance TaxRead More
A Will is NOT Simply a List
A Will is NOT simply a list of who does what, and who receives what, after we die. If that were the case, then there would be little need for solicitors and professional Will Writers because people would merely prepare such a list at their own convenience. Here are a few examples of potential issues …
Care Fees Assessment – Devon Will Writer
Legally, if a person’s need for care is primarily health related, then they qualify for free health care under the NHS, either in their own home or in a residential nursing facility. However, if the need for care is primarily convenience based (otherwise known as social needs), then a person will be assessed (means-tested) for …
Grant of Probate – Devon Will Writer
Just because we have a Will, that does not automatically mean that upon our death the people dealing with our affairs (Executors) can then immediately begin sharing out our estate according to the terms of our Will. If a deceased person owns property in their sole name or as a joint tenant in common with …
How Long Should it Take to Obtain Grant of Probate?
So How Long Should it Take to Obtain Grant of Probate, well if you are an Executor of a Will or a Representative of a deceased person’s estate (if there is no Will), you will need to establish whether a Grant of Probate is required for the estate. Generally speaking, if a deceased person owns …
How Long Should it Take to Obtain Grant of Probate?Read More
Who can Contest a Will or Make a Claim Against a Estate? Devon Will Writer
When someone does not inherit from an estate but believes that they should, they may have grounds to contest a Will of a deceased person or contest the law of intestacy if there is no Will. Whether they will be successful with their claim depends upon numerous factors including whether they were financially dependent upon …
Who can Contest a Will or Make a Claim Against a Estate? Devon Will WriterRead More
Property Ownership – Joint Tenants or Joint Tenants in Common?
What is the difference between owning a property JOINTLY with another person, and JOINTLY as TENANTS IN COMMON? If you own a property JOINTLY with another person, regardless of whether you have a Will or not, in the event of either death, the survivor inherits the deceased’s share of that property. If you own a …
Property Ownership – Joint Tenants or Joint Tenants in Common?Read More
Excluding an Estranged Spouse or Child from your Will
Undesirable though it surely is, people do become estranged from their spouses and children for many reasons. This then leaves the dilemma of whether or not to provide for such family members upon our death. If you do wish to do so, then you need not take any additional action. However, if you wish to …
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Using a Will Writer vs The Dangers of D.I.Y.
There is a reason why most of us don’t undertake dentistry or surgery upon ourselves, or build our own houses. It would most likely be much cheaper and certainly more convenient, however I would not be very confident of a successful outcome. Likewise, you may consider not to use a professional Will Writer and that …