Private Client

Administering Estates - Procedures and Pitfalls A recent survey has shown that more than one in ten people who are thought to have died intestate...
Asset Valuation Problems - Chattels When dealing with an estate, an increasing problem for executors is the valuation of assets in the...
CGT and Shares in Estates Valuation Trap In the UK, there are quite generous exemptions from Inheritance Tax (IHT) which apply to business...
Changing Wills For Benefit A will expresses the final wishes of the deceased person and it is commonly thought that a will is...
Cohabitees and Death - Who Can Claim? When one member of a cohabiting couple dies, it can come as an unpleasant surprise to the bereaved...
Dealing With an Insolvent Estate One of the rules that applies to the administration of estates is that whilst a person appointed...
Death and Taxes - Issues to consider after losing a spouse or partner The loss of a spouse or partner can be an overwhelming experience. Alongside the acute sense of...
Estates - What Happens if Values Fall? One of the biggest problems now facing executors is that assets can fall in value as well as...
Freud, Psychoanalysis, and Dementia By William Tyler MBE First delivered at The Freud Museum, London, on 23rd October, 2014 ...
Heir Hunters - Take Advice! Until the recent publicity afforded by television shows on the subject, many people might not have...
Helping Your Executors Being an executor is a demanding job at the best of times and a task that is made all the more...
How do I Leave Money to Charity in My Will? It's easy to include a charity in your will, but you should always consult your solicitor...
How do I apply to become a Court of Protection Deputy? If a family member or friend loses the ability through mental incapacity to make their own...
Legal Matters for Court of Protection Deputyships You’re clear on what your responsibilities are as a Deputy, but how do you make sure that...
Making Your Will - Guidance It is easy to keep putting off making a will. However, having a valid will is the only way to...
What Happens on Intestacy? The Inheritance and Trustees’ Powers Act came into force in late 2014. It changes...
What are Advanced Decisions? Anyone over eighteen-years-old is free to draw up an ‘advance decision to refuse...
What happens when I become a Court of Protection Deputy? You’ve gone through the application process and have been successfully appointed by the...
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? In October 2007 there was a fundamental change on the way in the way powers of attorney are...
What is a Trust? A trust comes into effect when a ‘settlor’ places money, land or other assets in the...
What is the Court of Protection? An office of the High Court, with power to make decisions in relation to the property and affairs,...
What kind of support and guidance will I receive as a Deputy? You’ve been appointed by the Court of Protection to act as a Deputy for a mentally...
What to consider when buying a property subject to an Assured Shorthold Tenancy? So you’ve identified an investment property you want to buy, but it already has a tenant...
When not to make decisions as a Deputy You’ve been appointed as a Deputy under the Court of Protection and you’re clear on...
Who can be appointed as a Court of Protection Deputy? Deputies are usually friends or relatives of the person who needs help to make their decisions....
Who is Under the Influence? The law recognises that some people (such as solicitors or accountants) have a high degree of...