Blogs

Keep calm and carry on, despite manifesto mayhem

A message from our directors, urging customers to postpone any rearranging of estate plans based on manifesto promises ...

How to protect loved ones from challenges to your Will

Legal challenges to Wills are on the up. Here's how to ensure your Single Will or Mirror Will cannot be challenged.

Have you and your loved ones got LPAs?

The benefits of making a Will are often known. Knowledge about the benefits of a LPA is less common. This post explains all you need to know.

Inheritance Tax Take Breaks £5bn Barrier

If your estate has broken the £325,000 barrier you need to take the steps necessary to ensure your wealth can be passed onto your family.

Is it a good idea to leave more to my less well-off children?

Wise advice from Huffington Post on how to be fair when making a Will…

10 Surprising Facts about Wills

There’s a lots of stats and facts doing the round in the world of estate planning, Will writing and probate at the minute.

The Truth about LPA Risks

Last week retired senior Court of Protection Judge, Denzil Lush told Radio 4’s Today Programme that people should be more aware of the risks of LPAs

The Danger of DIY Wills

Earlier this year The Guardian reported on the danger of DIY Wills

5 Questions to Help Your Loved One Write a Will

Last week we shared our thoughts on how to get a conversation started with a loved one about the importance of making a Will. Here are some more ideas

7 things you need to know about inherited ISAs …

Young, free and single? You still need a Will

Even if you are single, do not have children and do not own a house, writing a Will is still important. Here’s why …

Lessons to learn from recent Charity Wills Judgment

How to write a Will that discretely excludes a family member and minimises the chances of that family member contesting your Will.

How to Choose your Executor

Writing a Will online is quick, easy and affordable and our online Will template guides you through every step, including how to choose your executor.

What if Prince had Written a Will?

If you, like Prince, don't get round to writing a Will, the courts will decide who inherits your estate. Will it go to who you want it to?

13 Interesting Myths about Wills & Trusts

Here are the 13 most dangerous misconceptions they most regularly come across …

5 Reasons to Buy your Will online

Research reveals that 76% of the UK population has thought about getting a Will but not actually got around to doing so.

5 Tips for Getting a Conversation Started About Making a Will

How will my family know where my Will is when I die?

When you take out an Active Wills’ Will online, you are given the option to store it in our secure facility.

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of them All? Part 2

In this article, I explain in detail when and why a Mirror Will is not the right choice for a couple.

Can you afford to be an executor?

More and more people who take on the role of executor, perhaps motivated by a desire to protect their loved one’s peace of mind.

The Way of the Will

If any of these 7 things happen to you – you need to write or update your Will.

It’s International Children’s Day. Have you protected yours?

How to protect your children beyond making a Will ...

Want to reduce Inheritance Tax? Donate to Charity

Inheritance Tax Relief (IHT) on Charitable Donations is predicted to reach a record £900 million next year. In this blog, we explain why.

5 Reasons Dying Without a Will Should Not be an Option

Here are 5 reasons one client decided that dying without a Will (dying intestate) should not be an option for her family members…

It’s Never too Late to Protect your Estate

Following last week’s words of warning from our directors regarding holding off making changes to your estate plans until after the elections.

What is Probate and what are the planned fee changes?

Update on planned changes to probate fees ...

What Can You Do To Keep Everyone Happy After You Die?

Last week was Dying Matters Awareness Week. Our consultants had lots #WhatCanYouDo conversations with clients.

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

Did you know that 61% of the UK population does not have a Will?

WANT TO HELP MODERNISE WILL WRITING LAW?

Making a Will is one of the most important things you can do to protect your family, wealth & wishes, yet only 60% of the adult population in England.

DIY Wills (with no hidden costs)

We reported on similar concerns in the UK, expressed in The Guardian in our July post, The Danger of DIY Wills

FT Reports on a 36% Surge of Family Disputes Over Inheritance in 2016

FT journalist, Lucy Warwick-Ching traces steep rise in inheritance disputes back to a 2015 high court ruling.

Been asked to be an executor of a Will?

Typically, people writing an online Will with us have a family member responsible for dealing with other family members, areas of sensitivity.

20 Reasons for Making A Will Now

Our Will writing experts have summarised their reasons and added 10 more on why making a Charity Will online is the way to go …

Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Fairest of them All?

Teressa McDonald, Head of Legal Services, begins to demystify emerging confusion around whether Mirror Wills are the right choice

Inheritance, Civil Partnerships and Living Together

How to ensure your civil partner or common law husband or wife benefits from your estate when you die …