Back to Basics: Funding of care fees
Melinda Giles and Fiona Heald outline the three main ways government will assist with care fees for a person going into care – through the local authority; NHS continuing healthcare; and section 117 funding – and explain when it is possible to claim, how to claim, and what is and ...
Safe from harm
Law firms are an increasingly attractive target for cybercriminals – and private client solicitors, who often hold data on high-net-worth clients, are obvious prey. Robert Rutherford explains how you can stay safe, and remain one step ahead of the scammers
Doing your duty
The Office of the Public Guardian published new guidance in March for professionals who are appointed to act as an individual’s attorney under an LPA. But do you completely understand your duties? Holly Miéville-Hawkins remind us of the key responsibilities and considerations
At your discretion
Some commentators have suggested people will not be able to benefit from the new residence nil-rate band allowance if they include discretionary trusts in their wills. But Stephen C Haggett argues that flexible will trusts are still an invaluable part of estate planning
Good will out
Gary Rycroft considers the Law Commission’s new consultation on wills
Under control?
Do you know that your law firm is a data controller under the new General Data Protection Regulation, and you must comply with them, or face fines of up to €20m or four per cent of your annual global turnover? Owen O’Rorke provides a beginner’s guide to compliance
The final chapter
The Court of Appeal’s decision to increase the inheritance awarded to the claimant in Ilott v Mitson has been overturned by the Supreme Court. Penelope Reed KC and Hugh Cumber, who acted for the defendant charities, assess the judgment’s implications for testators
Standard fare
Over 100 countries have signed up for the Common Reporting Standard to automatically exchange tax information. But in a complex international tax regime, what is the solicitor’s role? Yasmin Metcalfe outlines the main principles of the standard
Danger on the doorstep
Over 50 per cent of people aged 65 or over have been targeted by scammers in the UK, according to National Trading Standards. Louise Baxter explains how its Friends Against Scams initiative is fighting back, and how solicitors can get involved
Gilded cage
Alexis Hearnden provides a guide to the the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards for the non-specialist practitioner
Where there’s a will
A public consultation by the Law Commission is a welcome step towards updating our will-making laws to keep them fit for purpose in the 21st century, says Henrietta Mason. She reflects on two key areas of the consultation: formality and testamentary capacity
Do it yourself
Ian Bond provides an update on the Ministry of Justice’s plans for digitising applications for grants of representation
Hide away
As the cost of residential care rises, more people are attempting to protect their home and other assets from local authorities to avoid paying for care. Heledd Wyn explains why such actions are doomed to fail, and how local authorities will approach a so-called deliberate deprivation of assets