Recent Features and Opinion
The importance of distinguishing funds
Lesley King discusses the recent case of Batt v Boswell: where confusion over trust and personal money led to a family dispute between two siblings following the death of their parents.
Severing a joint tenancy without notice
Roman Kubiak discusses the recent decision of Dunbabin v. Dunbabin [2022] EWHC 241(Ch), in which the court found that a joint tenancy had been severed despite the absence of a notice.
Versus predator
The risk of vulnerable parties entering into a predatory marriage is gaining increasing attention, both in the press and in the legal profession. Bethan Byrne and Sheena Cassidy Hope explore how new protections can be achieved through changes in the law
New excepted estates regulations
Lesley King details excepted estate regulations that come into force in the new year, and the various tax implications that they have.
Award for success
Roman Kubiak discusses recent judgments where success fees have been awarded to a claimant under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, and how “moral claims” to estates are evidenced.
The royal seal
Following the news that Prince Philip’s will is to be sealed from the public for 90 years, Roman Kubiak looks at the legal mechanisms behind this and queries whether wills should be made public at all.
Instruction manual
At the conference, Lesley King spoke on wills and deeds of variations, the importance of documenting discussions with clients, and differences between variations and disclaimers
The good will
Charitable gifts in wills often have vital roles in estate planning. Katherine Ellis takes a closer look at charitable legacies, the inheritance tax options available pre- and post-death, and the benefits of each for charities and personal beneficiaries
Root of the issue
Inheritance: the conversations we’re still not having
Charity case
Guideline hourly rates again under the microscope
For names’ sake! Naming charities in wills
Executor stress
Mutual interest
Uplifting hourly rates for Court of Protection assessments
Will-wrangling – exceptions not rules in Wrangle v Brunt
Trust issues: witnessing wills and changes to the Trusts Register
Life story
Back to basics: Wills, trusts and care home fees
Rectifying the situation
Unlawful killing: applying the forfeiture rule
High Court awards claimant success fee in Inheritance Act claim
New probate forms: what do I need to do?
Wills in a time of social distancing and self-isolation
Missing: date of presumed death
Accidental interests in possession
Charity case
Mistakes and money-laundering
Workshop: Contentious probate update
In a bind: drafting deadlines for conditional gifts in a will
Top Gunn
Succession planning
The write approach
Probate fees and civil partnerships
Out of time: claims under the Inheritance Act
Writing wrongs
Protect and serve
A stealthy new year: probate fees
Shock of the new
Back to basics: Drafting wills for overseas jurisdictions
Plenary: Changing times
Back to basics: Deeds of variation and disclaimers
It begins at home?
Artistic legacy
Under the influence
Changing the channel
A case of mutual wills
Do it yourself
Where there’s a will
The final chapter
Not over yet
New habits
Give a little
Private Client Section annual conference 2016: Workshops
Key to succession
Drawing interest
Using mediation to resolve private client disputes
Here comes trouble
Willing and able?
Variation on a theme
Casing the joints
Home free
Contentious probate case law update
Fit for a king?
Preserve and protect
Keep it in the family
Freedom come?
Community caring
Foreign affair
Sweet charity
Ready and willing
Gaining currency
All that glitters
Step change
Left behind
Annual Conference 2014: Contentious inheritance issues
Annual Conference 2014: Marley and me
Faking it
Power to the people
The promised land
Swap shop
In your gift
Securing the future
Time is of the essence
Working together
Asking the question
A farewell cure
PS May 2013
PS March 2013
PS January 2013
