A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) can prove to be vital during times of long-term ill health or following a serious accident. In this article, our expert Wills and Probate Solicitors explain what a lasting power of attorney is and why you need one. So, What is a Lasting Power of Attorney & Why Do I Need One? What is … Read More
When Should I Update My Will?
In this article, our specialist Wills and Probate Solicitors highlight when you should update your will. So, When Should I Update My Will? You should update your will when significant changes happen in your life. It is vital your will is up to date and reflects your current circumstances as failure to do so can cause unnecessary stress and worry … Read More
New Appointments Strengthen Our Team
New Appointments Add Strength To Our Team As part of our ongoing expansion, we have new appointments in our leadership team and across the firm, strengthening our position as one of Leeds’ leading Law Firms and as a national trade union specialist firm. Instrumental in leading us through this exciting period is our Managing Partner, David Sorensen. Appointed in February … Read More
Can I Pass My Digital Assets Through My Will?
Can I pass my digital assets through my will? When planning your estate, you need to consider your digital assets just like you would any other assets. There are some digital assets which can be passed through your will and some that cannot. In this article, our experienced Wills & Probate Solicitors explain everything you need to know about passing … Read More
HeartUnions Week 2021❤️
HeartUnions Week 8th – 14th February 2021 Morrish Solicitors are proud to be supporting the HeartUnions campaign organised by the Trades Union Congress. We have decades of history providing legal services for Unions and their members so we recognise the fantastic work they do, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. During this week Trade Unions, Associations and their members will be sharing their stories to raise awareness about why Unions are vital for working people and … Read More
Common Questions About Inheritance Tax
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is the tax that may have to be paid on someone’s estate (the property, money and possessions) after they pass away. In this article, our Wills and Estate Solicitors answer 5 common questions about Inheritance Tax so, you know what it is and how it works enabling you to plan for the future. Common Questions About Inheritance … Read More
Morrish Solicitors Support Will Aid 2020
Supporting the Will Writing Charity Campaign Morrish Solicitors are proud to announce we are supporting this year’s Will Writing Charity Campaign organised by Will Aid, the UK’s leading charity will-writing scheme. The purpose of the campaign is to give individuals the opportunity to write a will and support nine of the UK’s most loved charities by raising vital funds. The charities involved … Read More
10 Reasons to Make a Will
Why Should You Make a Will? Writing your will can be one of those things you put off, or say you need to do but never get round to doing. Having a will in place is the best way to make sure your wishes are taken care of when you’re no longer around. In this article, our Wills & Probate … Read More
Inheritance Tax – it’s here to stay
Like it or not Inheritance Tax (IHT) is here to stay. It’s been around for decades and is colloquially known as “Death Duties”. It is a tax on the value of your estate when you die. The rules relating to IHT have changed considerably since 2007. Effectively now the threshold at which IHT is chargeable on the estate of a … Read More
We are family! Or are we?
The definition of “family” is changing. It used to be the nuclear unit of husband, wife and 2.4 children. Although the divorce rate has been going down recently, numbers of cohabitants are rising. And the belief you can be a “common law” husband or wife still exists, despite it being a myth. So what constitutes a family and is this … Read More
GDPR & Lasting Power of Attorney’s
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney & why you need one A Lasting Power of Attorney is a document which lets you decide who you wish to help make decisions on your behalf in relation to your property and financial affairs and health and welfare when you are not able to make those decisions yourself. Be aware that you … Read More
Unmarried couples – rights of surviving partner
There was a recent case in the Supreme Court which has highlighted the vulnerability of the survivor when one partner dies and the couple were not married. Siobhan McLaughlin successfully claimed Widowed Parents’ Allowance following her partner’s death. Current law states that this benefit is only available to bereaved partners who have children and have been married to or in … Read More
“The incapacity crisis: a nation unprepared”
Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) launch a campaign this week which aims to raise awareness of health and welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s). SFE have built a report with think-tank Centre for Future Studies (CFS) which highlights the issues surrounding the lack of planning for mental incapacity and, backed by the evidence, demonstrates a looming incapacity crisis. Incapacity is … Read More
Why should I use a Solicitor?
The ageing population means that there is a large and increasing market for legal services for elderly people. Services in which elderly people are often interested are:- Wills Powers of Attorney Concerns about costs of residential/nursing care Equity Release Advice regarding dementia/mental incapacity Individuals are free to obtain legal advice from wherever they choose. The advice could be from a … Read More
What is the Court of Protection?
The Court of Protection (CoP) appoints people to make decisions for those who lack capacity to make decisions for themselves and resolves disputes about decisions for such people. If the person who lacks capacity has not made a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) or an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) and they have lost capacity, it is likely that someone … Read More
Support for those affected by the collapse of The Will Writing Company Limited
Due to the recent liquidation of The Will Writing Company Limited (part of the Estate Planning Group), who were based in Ruddington Nottingham, Morrish Solicitors are pleased to offer a fully inclusive and comparable service for all of your wills and estate planning requirements. We are accredited by Lexcel (The Law Society’s practice management standard) and are members of Solicitors for … Read More
Have You Got Your Digital Assets in Order?
Have you got your digital assets in order? Many people don’t include their digital assets when planning their estate, but they should be included the same as other assets. In this article, our specialist Wills and Probate Solicitors explain the importance of having your digital assets in order. Have You Got Your Digital Assets in Order? What are Digital Assets? … Read More
Residence Nil Rate Bands
It seems that Residence Nil Rate Bands are here to stay. Complicated as they are, they provide for an increase in the Nil Rate Band against Inheritance Tax (IHT) for people who have had a property in which they have resided and who leave it to their “direct descendants”. Putting it simply, the Nil Rate Band is a tax free … Read More
Lasting Powers of Attorney – helpful or not?
Denzil Lush, former Senior Judge of the Court of Protection, warned the public recently that he believed Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) may leave elderly people open to abuse. An LPA is a powerful legal document that allows a person to appoint trusted individuals to make important decisions about care and finances on their behalf, in the event of a … Read More
Morrish Solicitors one of highest donating firms for Will Aid
John Coulhurst from Will Aid popped over to our Yeadon office this morning to present Tom Morrish with a certificate for being one of the highest donating firms in West Yorkshire (4th). An amazing £34,496 raised since being part of Will Aid and £5,490 this year. Peter de Vena Franks from Will Aid said: “This really is a huge amount … Read More
Proposed probate fee increase scrapped
The proposed probate fee hike was scrapped last week. Tom Morrish, Head of our Wills and Probate department and Yorkshire Regional Coordinator for Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) said: “We are delighted to hear the proposed probate fees have been dropped. It was very clear from the offset that the new system was nothing more than a backdoor tax and … Read More
BREAKING NEWS – Increase in Probate Court Fees
When applying for a Grant of Representation (this is the document required to enable the Personal Representatives of the estate to deal with the deceased’s estate) the Personal Representatives are aware that there will be a court fee payable. It is currently a manageable amount of £155 via a solicitor, £215 without the assistance of a solicitor and £0 if … Read More
Poorly drawn up wills can result in loved ones missing out inheritance
Failure to draw up accurately-written wills is resulting in families being unable to take control of their loved one’s estates when they pass away, a legal expert has claimed. Tom Morrish, regional co-ordinator for Yorkshire with SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly), said wills drawn up by unregulated and unqualified personnel do not offer the same protections as those drawn up … Read More
The mysteries of the Court of Protection
What is the Court of Protection? This is the Court which deals with matters relating to the affairs of people who are not able to handle their own affairs. Typically it deals with cases where elderly people develop dementia or other illnesses affecting mental capacity, which means that the individual is not able to manage their own financial affairs. Other … Read More
Where is your Will?
When making a Will it is important to know where the original document is kept. If a Solicitor has made your Will you may have been given the option to leave the original Will with your solicitor for safekeeping in their deed store department. If this is the case then you will most probably have received a copy of your … Read More
The Importance of Instructing a Solicitor or Professional when Preparing a Lasting Power of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney is a powerful and important legal document. By making a Lasting Power of Attorney you are setting up an arrangement which will potentially give someone authority to deal with everything you own and your personal care at a time when you will be at your most vulnerable. The benefits of using a solicitor/professional are as … Read More
BBC Radio Leeds Interview with Tom Morrish
Tom Morrish, our Wills and Probate Partner was recently interviewed on BBC Radio Leeds, talking about Wills and Probate and taking calls. To listen to the full interview, visit this link.
No Inheritance Tax on estates worth up to £1 million? Not quite!
George Osborne announced the introduction of an additional Inheritance Tax (IHT) Nil Rate Band (NRB) for a person’s main residence in the Summer 2015 Budget. This was good news for with wealth tied up in their family home. The existing NRB of £325,000 per person or £650,000 per couple, on which 40% IHT is not paid, will remain the same. But from … Read More
Probate Court Fees – Expected Hike
The Government has issued proposals to increase the fee paid to the Probate Registry for obtaining a Grant of Probate. A Grant of Probate is very often required when someone dies to allow the estate to be administered. Currently the fee is £155.00 for all estates which have a value of more than £5,000. Is this fair? The proposals suggest … Read More
James Shingleton and Charlotte Bandawe appointed as Dementia Friends Champions
We are pleased to announce that two of our Solicitors, Charlotte Bandawe and James Shingleton, have successfully completed their training to become Dementia Friends Champions. They join Tom Morrish and Monika Volsing who completed their training last year. Dementia Friends information sessions are run by Dementia Friends Champions on a voluntary basis to help you understand what it’s like to live … Read More
