Wills & Probate
Advance care planning: Helping you prepare for the future
Over the last two decades, the number of people aged 90 or over in the UK has more than doubled, according to figures from the ONS. While it’s encouraging that life expectancy continues to rise, longer lives often bring the challenge of planning for future care needs. Unfortunately, the cost and ....
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Recognise the asset protection trust red flags
Asset protection trusts are a legitimate way to manage your estate to make sure your money goes where you want after your death. However, in recent years, more people in vulnerable circumstances have been mis-sold schemes that fail to protect their basic interests. Worse, these schemes can lock the....
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Why consider a solicitor as your Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document appointing someone to deal with your financial and legal affairs in the event that this ever becomes necessary. In some cases, people appoint a trusted relative or friend to fulfil the role. Before you make that choice, though, ask yourself if y....
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New pension inheritance rules: what does it mean for estate and tax planning
You’ve written a will, established a trust and agreed a drawdown strategy. Lifetime estate planning can be ticked off your to do list, right? Legislative changes and market shifts mean that lifetime estate planning will never be a tick in the box activity. It needs to be revisited regularly es....
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Why you should plan ahead with a Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney
Planning for the future is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and wellbeing, especially as you get older. A Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to choose someone you trust to make decisions about your care, treatment and daily life if you lo....
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Wills – Case study
After her friend’s bad experience with a DIY Will, Annie entrusted her Will review to Attwaters. Here’s how she found the process. “Drafting a Will is a process of trust,” says Annie (62). “Unless you’re a legal expert yourself, you need to accept someone else’s word that what you....
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Why DIY wills are riskier than you think
Drafting your own Will using an online template (or bought from popular high street stationers) may seem quick and cost effective, but the stakes are high, and the complications can be severe. Writing an accurate and enforceable legal document is not a simple task, so it’s no surprise that DIY Wi....
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The risks of not having an LPA – a case study
At Attwaters Solicitors, we regularly advise clients on the importance of preparing for the unexpected, particularly when co-owning a property. One of the most important steps you can take is putting an appropriate Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. To highlight just how critical this can be....
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Paws for thought: why it’s important to include pets in your will
The UK is a nation of animal lovers. It’s estimated we own nearly 11 million pet cats and 10.5 million pet dogs as well as thousands of other animal companions. In 2024, 51% of adults in the UK owned a pet. Yet only 26% of owners over the age of 30 have considered what will happen to their ani....
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Dementia: how the law can help you and your loved ones plan for the future
It’s estimated nearly one million people are living with dementia in the UK. By 2040, it will be nearer 1.4 million. Why estimated? One in three people living with dementia have not been formally diagnosed with dementia, which is vital for accessing support. Dementia is a progressive con....
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What are digital assets and why should you include them in your Will?
If you have a social media account, use online banking, or subscribe to a music service such as Spotify, you are the proud owner of a digital asset. But have you included them in your Will? This post explains why it’s essential to create a plan for your digital estate. What are....
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Foreign assets in a Will – what you need to know
In recent years, it has become increasingly common to own assets in multiple countries. While global diversification can be beneficial to your investment portfolio and estate, dealing with foreign assets in a Will can be complex. At Attwaters, we understand the intricacies of managing foreign asset....
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Foreign assets in a Will – what you need to know
In recent years, it has become increasingly common to own assets in multiple countries. While global diversification can be beneficial to your investment portfolio and estate, dealing with foreign assets in a Will can be complex. At Attwaters, we understand the intricacies of managing foreign asset....
Continue reading Foreign assets in a Will – what you ne....
John le Carré’s legacy and the benefits of tax-efficient planning
The Times recently reported that John le Carré’s children have offset their Inheritance Tax bill by donating their late father’s literary archive, valued at £1.5 million, to the University of Oxford’s Bodleian Library. At Attwaters, we believe this is a prime example of the advantages of ef....
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Making gifts as an attorney or deputy
Gift-giving is a common estate planning that can reduce the value of an estate for Inheritance Tax (IHT) purposes and ensure assets are used according to the donor's wishes during their lifetime. However, gift-giving needs to be carefully planned and dealt with cautiously. If you are an attorney or....
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Brother wins battle in £10m strawberry farm case
The son of a fruit farmer who abandoned his dream of becoming a Royal Marine to work in the family strawberry business has won a court battle against his brother over their father’s £10m business. Richard Winter gave up his dream of military stardom to grow strawberries after his father promi....
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Frequently asked questions about passing on wealth
As the Private Wealth Law Firm, we have spent many years supporting our clients to pass down their wealth to future generations as smoothly and tax-efficiently as possible. Although every client’s needs and experiences are unique, there are some questions which we find come up time and time again....
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Inquiry calls for change in probate service crisis
Analysis of Ministry of Justice data shows that there has been a 65% increase in probate cases taking a year or longer to clear. These delays are continuing to cause significant emotional distress and financial losses for families who are already going through an incredibly difficult time in their ....
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Anne Robinson provides a lesson in estate planning
The news that Anne Robinson has given away her £50 million fortune to avoid paying inheritance tax has recently caused a splash around the media. But can gifting your fortune really keep the taxman away? And what does the story tell us about the importance of estate planning? Inheritance....
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Executor of will vs power of attorney – what’s the difference?
In the world of estate planning, there are two legal roles that often get confused: executor and attorney. The former is responsible for carrying out the wishes of a deceased person as per their Will, whilst the latter is responsible for looking after a person’s money and welfare while they ar....
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