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 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

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

Upon the breakdown of a marriage/civil partnership it is usual for the parties to proceed to finalise the end of their union by applying for a divorce or dissolution of a civil partnership. Upon the Decree Absolute/Dissolution Order being granted the marriage/civil partnership is over and both parties are then free to proceed with their own lives individually. However more … Read More

At the start of a new year, many people like to make a fresh start or may even make a resolution. So now may be a good time to give some serious thought to making a Will? A Will is the only way to ensure your loved ones inherit what you want them to have. A Will also prevents your … Read More

86% of people in the Yorkshire and the Humber are currently living with no control over important later-life decisions around their housing, assets, heath, and care, according to a new report by SFE (Solicitors for the Elderly), the national organisation representing legal professionals such as Tom Morrish from Morrish Solicitors specialising in helping people plan for later life. The report … Read More

If your elderly relative or friend is going into a care home, here some important tips you should follow: Check the relative’s house is secure – Insurers are notified, valuables are removed etc. Check that someone is able to manage the relative’s financial affairs.  Most  residents of Care Homes will need assistance with their financial affairs.  Check if there is … Read More

The decision of the Judge in the case of Ilot v Mitson, reported widely in the news recently, is worrying to many people who have made a Will, or who are considering making a Will. When making a Will, you should give a lot of thought to deciding who to include and, sometimes, who to exclude as beneficiaries (i.e. the … Read More

In June 2015, HSBC sold their Wills and Probate business to a company called Simplify Channel Ltd, with the transfer date expected to occur on 30th October 2015. Simplify are based in London, which is seen as a concern to our clients in Yorkshire. Over the years, we have seen many clients who have had their Wills drafted by HSBC. … Read More

We are delighted to hear that a cross-party panel of 11 MPs will be investigating court and tribunal fees. Our view is that the staggering rise in court fees (in one recent personal injury case for a very serious work accident, the fee payable to the court had risen from £1,315 to £10,000) and introduction of Employment Tribunal fees (leading … Read More

At this season of goodwill it is worthwhile also considering some tax planning. Why not surprise the family with a slightly more substantial gift this Christmas to assist with whittling away against your Inheritance Tax liability? In general, an individual has an Inheritance Tax-free sum which they can dispose of on their death of £325,000 and for married couples this … Read More