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Family

Why Being an Executor of a Will

Why Being an Executor of a Will Is About to Become More Difficult

Being asked to act as an Executor is usually taken as a compliment. It means a relative or close friend trusted you to carry out their wishes and to deal with their affairs properly after they had died. In practice, it is a role that carries real legal responsibility, and from 6 April 2027 it is about to become more demanding still. Most Executors begin the work while grieving, supporting other family members and trying to make sense of financial and legal information they have never seen before. From April…

Property and Wills

What Happens to a Property After Someone Dies?

Losing a loved one is difficult enough without having to navigate unfamiliar legal and administrative processes. One of the most common questions families ask is what happens to a property after someone dies and whether it can be sold or transferred immediately. The answer depends on a number of factors, including how the property was owned, whether there is a valid Will and whether probate is required. Our private client and lifetime planning team advises families across each of these stages, from applying for probate through to the sale or…

High Court Decision on Overseas Surrogacy and Trust Beneficiaries: A Legal Perspective

The recent High Court decision concerning the inclusion of a child born through an overseas surrogacy arrangement as a beneficiary of family trusts represents a significant development in the evolving relationship between trust law, succession planning, and modern methods of family formation. The case arose from an application by Ceawlin Thynn, the 8th Marquess of Bath, and his wife, Emma Thynn, seeking the court’s approval for their son, Henry, to be included within the beneficial class of three family trusts. Although Henry was genetically the child of the couple, he…

Double Risk for Estates

Double risk for families dealing with estates

Hidden digital assets and mounting interest on inheritance tax bills are creating a costly double risk for families dealing with estates following the death of a loved one, as probate delays continue to impact thousands across England and Wales, adding further stress and financial pressure. Recent figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show that more than 2,000 probate applications in England and Wales took over a year to be granted by the Ministry in the 12 months to April 2025. While the MoJ says many applications are now being…

For Sale

Homeowners urged to get ‘move ready’ as pressure grows

In a housing market where mortgage rates can shift on global headlines and property chains remain painfully fragile, homeowners are being urged to get “move ready” before putting their property on the market or starting their property search. The call comes as the property sector pushes for faster and more streamlined conveyancing amid wider economic uncertainty. Major lenders and property businesses are investing in digital systems designed to reduce delays, cut fall-through rates and speed up transactions. A government-backed open property coalition is working to accelerate the digitisation of homebuying,…

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters

Mixed-Use Property and the Renters’ Rights Act

Mixed-use properties (buildings that combine commercial premises with residential accommodation) are a familiar feature of the UK’s towns and high streets. The flat above the shop, the office with a caretaker’s dwelling, the converted warehouse with a ground-floor retail unit: these are common arrangements, and they attract buyers ranging from small investors to established property businesses. From 1 May 2026, anyone owning or acquiring such a property needs to understand that the residential element will be governed by a significantly reformed legal framework. The Renters’ Rights Act 2025 introduces the…

Pension Death Benefits: What Happens to Your Pension When You Die?

For many people, a pension represents one of the most significant assets they will accumulate during their lifetime. Yet its treatment on death — who receives it, how, and what tax is payable — is often poorly understood. With important changes on the horizon, it is worth taking stock of where the rules currently stand and what is set to change from April 2027. The Current Position: Income Tax and the Age 75 Threshold Under current rules, the tax treatment of pension death benefits depends primarily on whether the pension…

Home Improvements

When Do You Need Planning Permission for Home Improvements

Whether you are dreaming of a new extension, converting your loft, or simply updating the front of your property, one of the first questions you should ask is: “Do I need planning permission?” The answer is not always straightforward and getting it wrong can be both costly and stressful. It pays to understand the basics before you pick up the phone to a builder. What is planning permission? Planning permission is formal approval from your local planning authority (LPA) that you need before carrying out certain types of building work…

Inheritance Act

Inheritance Act Claims and Letters of Wishes: Managing Risk in Estate Planning

Even a carefully drafted will does not always bring matters to an end. The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 allows certain people to apply to the court for financial provision if a will or the intestacy rules fail to make reasonable provision for them. One practical way to reduce the risk of disputes is to use a well-thought-out Letter of Wishes. This article explains how the 1975 Act works, who can bring a claim, and how Letters of Wishes can help provide clarity and context after death…

A New Year Wills Healthcheck

Is your Will still fit for purpose?

The start of a new year is often a prompt to get things in order - reviewing finances, updating records and planning for the year ahead. One important document that is often overlooked after it’s been signed, however, is a Will. Many people assume that once a Will is in place, the job is done and it can be forgotten about. In reality, even a well-drafted Will can cause significant difficulty if it is outdated, unclear, or cannot be located when it is needed. We recently dealt with a matter…

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