Wills
Personal finance tops New Year’s resolution polls
29th December 2011
Various surveys of New Year’s resolutions for 2012 reveal that the priority for most people next year is to get their personal finances in order. Such polls normally return a... Read more
Sisters unable to overturn father’s deathbed will
13th December 2011
The daughters of George Wharton, who executed a Will in favour of his partner Maureen three days before his death from cancer, have failed in their efforts to challenge the... Read more
84 per cent of parents do not have a Will
27th October 2011
A new HSBC poll has surveyed parents from 17 different countries and revealed that 84% of them do not have a Will in place. That adults are reluctant to make a... Read more
New study shows inheritances to fall after 2047
30th September 2011
A new study entitled 'The Age of Inheritance Report', compiled by HSBC, predicts that the number of inheritances in the UK will peak in 2047, and also reveals that... Read more
Witness error allows daughter to overturn Will
12th September 2011
The will of Ranjit Singh, who died in March 2009 in his 70s, has been declared invalid because of a simple error in the witnessing of his signature. The will... Read more
HMRC wants to force reporting of tax dodging
5th September 2011
HM Revenue & Customs is requesting new powers that would enable them to insist that individuals pass on details of anyone they suspect of tax dodging. If someone is involved... Read more
Millionaire's deathbed Will cuts daughters out
22nd August 2011
The will of millionaire George Wharton is being disputed by his three daughters, who are accusing their stepmother of pressurising their father into leaving them nothing from his £4million estate. Mr... Read more
Increase in pre-death inheritances
16th August 2011
New figures released by Skipton Financial Services (SFS) suggest that there is an increase in the practice of parents giving their intended inheritance to their children before they die. One... Read more
Why you really should make a Will
8th August 2011
Recent surveys suggest that 70% of the adult population in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK have not made a Will, with the two most common reasons for... Read more
McQueen Will leaves £50,000 to pet dogs
1st August 2011
Fashion designer Alexander McQueen left £50,000 in his Will to be put into trust for his dogs to ensure they are pampered for the rest of their lives. The remainder... Read more
Reduced inheritance tax for charitable legacies
16th June 2011
The HMRC is beginning a consultation process on its proposal to introduce a lower rate of inheritance tax to be applied to estates were at least 10% of the net... Read more
Disabled NI swimmer leaves 25k to pool in Will
15th June 2011
Pat Vij, a disabled man who swam at the pool in a sports complex in Londonderry, astonished workers in the centre when it was discovered that he had left a... Read more
HMRC inheritance tax focus on property valuations
6th June 2011
The HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) last year raised an extra £70million in inheritance tax by challenging property valuations made in the estates of deceased people. UHY Hacker Young say... Read more
Solicitors urge holidaymakers to be cautious
16th May 2011
Lyn Harris and Lenore Rice of Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Northern Ireland have urged their clients going on holiday to exercise caution. There has been an increase in the number... Read more
1 in 10 people have a secret Will
6th May 2011
New research by Foresters Friendly Society and ICM Direct suggests that 1 in 10 people in the UK have made a Will but have not told anyone where it is... Read more
Probate granted for Bernard Matthews surprise Will
4th May 2011
Grant of probate has been obtained by the executors of Mr Bernard Matthews will, in which he leaves most of his £40million estate to his illegitimate son, Frederick Elgershuizen. The will... Read more
Poor inheritance tax planning will cost UK £1billion
20th April 2011
Research carried out by Unbiased.co.uk has predicted that UK taxpayers will waste approximately £1.3billion in inheritance tax this year as a result of poor tax planning. Behind tax credits, inheritance tax... Read more
Will challenged because of financial difficulties
5th April 2011
The Court of Appeal in England & Wales has allowed a claim from a woman over her mothers estate because she is in financial difficulties, despite her mother clearly expressing... Read more
Tony Curtis daughters to challenge Will
4th April 2011
Two daughters of Hollywood actor Tony Curtis, who died six months ago, are planning to challenge his last Will which left them with nothing, despite reassurances by the actor that... Read more
Children unaware of parents Will arrangements
10th March 2011
New research by NS&I has revealed that nearly half of the population (46%) do not know where their parents keep their important documents, over a third (36%) do not know... Read more
Parents resist inheritance for children fearing divorce
7th March 2011
New research by Rensburg Sheppards suggests that a third of parents are concerned about leaving an inheritance of money to children who are married, fearing that they might get divorced... Read more
Dying Elizabeth Taylor's family feud over inheritance
1st March 2011
The family of the extremely ill Elizabeth Taylor are said to be at war over the 79-year-old actresses $600million fortune. Ms Taylor is said to be desperately trying to keep the... Read more
Half of all adults have received pre-inheritance
1st March 2011
A new survey has revealed that 46 per cent of all adults in Britain have received a sum of money from their parents known as a 'pre-inheritance' - essentially, receiving... Read more
Banks accused of '£40million wills rip-off'
25th February 2011
High Street banks have been accused of overcharging bereaved families by as much as £40million a year for services involved in the winding up of an estate, prompting a pledge... Read more
Brothers feud over mother's Will
9th February 2011
Two brothers are currently embroiled in a court battle over the estate of their mother Lena Hirst who suffered from Alzheimer's and died at the age of 75 in December... Read more
'Constant emotional tie' decides will dispute
31st January 2011
The former girlfriend of a Royal Marine who was killed in action has successfully disputed his £290,000 Will, albeit receiving a smaller amount that she would have received had she... Read more
Court says Napier son did not suppress will
30th December 2010
The son of Charles Napier has been cleared of allegations by his fathers former mistress that he destroyed a Will that would have seen a £500,000 inheritance go to her. Charles... Read more
Traveller tried to change pensioners will
7th December 2010
Traveller, Simon Kopp aged 24, has pleaded guilty to fraud at St Albans Crown Court after he attempted to change the will of an 87-year-old man he had done some... Read more
RSPCA appeal £1million will decision
29th November 2010
The RSPCA has begun its appeal of the High Court judgement which saw their share of a £1million estate nearly halved from £651,820 to £370,153. George Mason left a will dividing... Read more
Dispute over 'delusional' millionaires will
25th November 2010
The High Court has resolved a chaotic dispute over the £15million estate of a man who believed he was the long-lost son of last Emperor of Russia, as well as... Read more
Court hears how wife and girlfriend forged rival Wills
5th November 2010
A bizarre case is currently being heard which involves an allegedly forged will by the girlfriend of deceased wealthy estate agent Chris John, and then a forged codicil or amendment... Read more
1.5m Britons leave property to pets in Will
2nd November 2010
Perhaps more amazing that the fact that 30million people in the UK don't have a Will, is the content of some of the Wills of those people who have gotten... Read more
30million UK adults stand to die without a Will
26th October 2010
A survey conducted by unbiased.co.uk has revealed the extend of 'wills apathy' in Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, as 30million adults currently do not have a will;... Read more
Wilson Nesbitt take part in Will Aid
22nd October 2010
Wilson Nesbitt is pleased to announce that it will be taking part in the National Make a Will month campaign run by Will Aid. The scheme involves solicitors all around... Read more
Ex-mistress fears Napier Will suppressed by children
19th October 2010
Stephen Napier and Catherine Brooks, son and daughter of the late Charles Napier, are locked in a legal dispute with the ex-mistress of their deceased father over his estate, and... Read more
RSPCA Will appeal to be heard in November
29th September 2010
The appeal case of RSPCA v Sharp will be heard on 24-25th November in the Court of Appeal after the High Court controversially held in favour of the family of... Read more
Board begins dubious will-writing practice research
24th September 2010
The Legal Services Board (LSN) has begun its research on the unregulated will-writing firms who have come under fire lately after a number of high profile cases highlighted a significant... Read more
10 per cent of adults to pass on 'significant wealth'
22nd September 2010
A survey showing that only ten per cent of parents are planning to pass on significant wealth to their children upon their deaths highlights how the economic crisis has "fundamentally... Read more
Punk legend's will disputed by estranged son
16th September 2010
The estranged son of punk icon Malcolm McLaren is disputing the Will he made on his hospital deathbed that left everything to his 37 year old partner of 12 years... Read more
Family overturns Will that left inheritance to hairdresser
17th August 2010
The family of the 'eccentric' elderly sisters whose inheritance had been left to their hairdresser in a last minute will change by the surviving sister has successfully had a previous... Read more
Most UK adults 'don't get around' to making a Will
16th August 2010
Making a Will continues to be one of those things that most adults in the UK agree is an important thing to do, but just 'don't get around' to it.... Read more
Call for regulation of Will writing companies
11th August 2010
The use of stand alone will writing companies has become increasingly popular in the wake of the recession as the public look to what can appear as the cheapest solution... Read more
Year in jail 'fully deserved' for will forger
2nd August 2010
Lawyers acting for Dean Raymond Benson criticised the severity of his one year jail term sentence for cheating 81 year old Reginald Dockery out of £7,000 and forging his will.... Read more
Will executed with loss of mental capacity is upheld
27th July 2010
The Court of Appeal has upheld the Will of Robert Perrins who was shown to have sufficient mental capacity when he gave instructions for his will in 2000, but had... Read more
Will of eccentric sisters favours hairdresser over family
27th July 2010
A will change just two months before the death of the surviving sister involved in a joint estate has left the bulk of a £400,000 fortune to a hairdresser instead... Read more
Banks exposed as 'preying on bereaved'
16th June 2010
Two independent investigations by Money Mail and consumer group Which? have exposed High Street banks and unregulated probate firms as 'preying on the bereaved' by over charging for will-writing and... Read more
Woman's claim of 'forged will' by sister fails
9th June 2010
Angela Salmon has lost her High Court case against her sister Jacqueline in which she alleged that the latter had forged their mothers Will which left her just £1, and... Read more
Jail for will writer who stole from charitable legacies
25th May 2010
Will writer Martin Lloyd, aged 57, has been jailed for two and a half years for stealing £100,000 from a client's estate while acting as executor and spending the money... Read more
NHS bereavement adviser jailed for stealing ?750,000 from deceased patients
4th May 2010
Yvette Adams, an NHS bereavement services advisor at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, has been jailed for stealing £750,000 from the estates of deceased hospital patients. She was employed to... Read more
Ex husband of 'Little Britain' star dies intestate
1st March 2010
Matt Lucas, the comedian and actor best known for his work on 'Little Britain' will not receive any of the £1million estate of his former husband Kevin McGee who took... Read more
Half of NI over-55s 'plan to leave inheritance'
3rd December 2009
As many as 50 per cent of consumers over the age of 55 are planning to leave an inheritance to their families in Northern Ireland, new research has shown.In total,... Read more
Failure to update wills 'could cause inheritance problems'
30th October 2009
People should check that their wills are kept up to date in order to make sure their assets are passed on correctly to inheritors, according to one organisation.In the past... Read more
Professional advice 'vital when writing will'
17th July 2009
People in the UK and Northern Ireland should not underestimate the importance of seeking expert help when writing a will, according to an expert.Dave Smith, spokesperson for Co-operative legal services,... Read more
Over half of adults 'do not have a will'
15th July 2009
More than half of adults in the UK and Northern Ireland do not have a will in place, according to new research. The study by Which? Legal Service found that 56... Read more
80% of men in the UK without will
10th June 2009
New figures from Friends Provident published ahead of Men's Health Week 2009 have revealed how men in the UK are leaving themselves and their dependants open to financial hardship. According... Read more
NI pensions cut as government admits to overpayments
17th December 2008
The government has announced that more than 2,000 former public sector workers in Northern Ireland will have their pensions cut in order to make up for past overpayments. It is... Read more
Intestacy 'no substitute for a will'
4th September 2008
Dying intestate is not a good substitute for a valid will, a legal expert has warned.Individuals in Northern Ireland may be interested to hear that current legal regulations state that... Read more
Labour MP blames lack of support for failure of inheritance tax amendment
9th July 2008
A Labour MP's proposal that siblings should be entitled to the same inheritance tax break as a married couple has been discarded.The Guardian reports that Frank Field's suggested amendment to... Read more
Moves to change sibling inheritance rules
30th June 2008
Cohabiting siblings in Northern Ireland may soon receive the same rights as married and civil partnership couples regarding inheritance tax.An amendment has been proposed to the finance bill by Labour... Read more
Civil partnership split warning
20th June 2008
People considering entering into a civil partnership in Northern Ireland should consult solicitors and plan carefully before taking the vows, it has been advised.According to the Law Society, entering into... Read more
Trusts a 'great opportunity' for lessening inheritance tax
3rd June 2008
Well-planned trusts can prove a "very effective way" to reduce inheritance tax liabilities and ensure that as much of your wealth as possible is passed onto the next generation, according... Read more
Wills 'need to be regularly reviewed'
28th May 2008
Wills and trusts need to be regularly reviewed as the inheritance people are able to leave changes, according to the Law Society.The society claims that solicitors need to be consulted... Read more
Care home financial advice 'essential'
14th May 2008
Taking financial advice about retirement and care home provision is "essential", Saga has claimed.The magazine, insurance and holidays provider for the over-50s, has welcomed Gordon Brown's review on social care... Read more
Having a will ensures money passes to correct inheritors
13th May 2008
Making a will is essential for those who want to influence what happens to their estate after they die, a financial expert has advised.David Kuo, head of finance at Fool.co.uk,... Read more
Inheritances twice 1997 level
8th May 2008
More people are liable to inheritance tax (IHT) bills as the average value of an inherited estate has risen to more than twice its 1997 level, according to a new... Read more
IHT problems for unmarried couples
7th May 2008
Co-habiting couples who are not married or in civil partnerships are not entitled to the same inheritance tax (IHT) benefits as those who are, a firm of independent financial advisors... Read more
Sisters lose out in inheritance tax battle
30th April 2008
A pair of co-habiting elderly sisters has been told by the European court of human rights they have not been discriminated against under UK inheritance tax (IHT) regulations.The sisters had... Read more
More inheritance tax bills being reduced by giving money away
24th April 2008
The number of people giving away money before they die in order to reduce the inheritance tax (IHT) bill liable on their death is on the increase, according to Forum... Read more
IHT 'generous' to small businesses
18th February 2008
Solicitors in Belfast and Northern Ireland are often asked to write up wills for small business owners indicating that the family firm will be left to another member.As solicitors will... Read more
More pensioners in the province
25th October 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland are likely to see an increase in the number of people wanting to arrange their will, as national statistics show that there is an increasingly ageing... Read more
Widow forced to settle with husband's ex-wife
11th October 2007
Solicitors in Northern Ireland will have watched an unusual case with interest, as a woman whose husband died only hours after they married has been forced to pay £100,000 to... Read more
Old wills obstruct new changes
18th September 2007
Solicitors have said that a will should be updated "every time something really significant happens in your life, whether it's a change in family circumstance, change in financial circumstance or,... Read more
Update your will every five years
11th September 2007
Despite the fact that two thirds of people in Britain and Northern Ireland have no will prepared, experts advise that people should visit their solicitors to update their wills every... Read more
Accountants despair of clients not making wills
24th August 2007
An accountancy firm has publicly denounced the complacency that seems to be sweeping the country after research revealed that only ten per cent of people in Britain and Northern Ireland... Read more
Clever couples can avoid high IHT
7th August 2007
Married couples or those in a civil partnership can help to cut inheritance tax (IHT) by writing a nil rate band discretionary trust will, Willcare has advised. Couples in Britain... Read more
Solicitors seeing more unusual cases
14th May 2007
Around two million people seek legal advice a year and although some cases will always be in a solicitor's daily remit, people are increasingly seeking advice for more unusual matters.According... Read more
More nationals to suffer dementia
4th May 2007
News that dementia in Northern Ireland is expected to increase by over 25 per cent over the next decade means that those approaching senior citizenship should visit their solicitors earlier... Read more
Aged could help the young
30th March 2007
The Pensioners' Income Series 2005/6 has revealed that the average income of UK pensioners has risen to £292 a week - an increase of 27 per cent over a decade.Published... Read more
More NI over-90s than ever
28th March 2007
The number of people in Northern Ireland who are aged 90 or more has seen an unprecedented rise over the last decade, according to government statistics.An estimated 8,300 citizens aged... Read more
NI couples tie the knot younger
26th March 2007
Couples in Northern Ireland get engaged and married younger than anywhere else in the UK, a new study has shown.A survey commissioned by wedding suppliers Wedding Invitation UK shows that... Read more
Make the most of your nil rate band
23rd March 2007
With the Budget announcement that the inheritance tax (IHT) threshold will be raised progressively until it reaches £350,000 in 2010, homeowners across Britain and Northern Ireland should be updating their... Read more
Young people unwilling to make a will
6th March 2007
The fact that only thirty per cent of adults in the UK and Northern Ireland have a will, findings of a survey by Will Aid, begs questions about which sections... Read more
Will-writing essential for unmarried couples
5th March 2007
Solicitors would advise that an accurate and current will is essential in passing on inheritance to a partner to whom you are not married.The latest survey by Will Aid has... Read more
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