Wills, Trusts & Probate

The Court of Protection exists to safeguard the interests of people who may be unable to look after themselves fully or make decisions on their own behalf. Sometimes the court may defend them against individuals seeking to exploit them, but it can also protect them against the heavy handed actions of official bodies, as illustrated

A woman has won a legal dispute with a charity over the meaning of her mother’s will. It means she will inherit an extra £325,000. The case involved a woman who made a will leaving her daughter all the tax-free money from her estate. The remainder was to go to the Woodland Trust charity. When

Two sisters have been appointed to manage the estate of their mother who is suffering from dementia. The appointments were made by the Court of Protection despite an objection from a brother of the two sisters. The case involved a woman who had not drawn up a lasting power of attorney stating who she wanted

Two sisters have been appointed to manage the estate of their mother who is suffering from dementia. The appointments were made by the Court of Protection despite an objection from a brother of the two sisters. The case involved a woman who had not drawn up a lasting power of attorney stating who she wanted

The taxman could take some of the money you want to go to loved ones after you die if you fail to make a will and keep it up to date. Some may also go to an estranged husband or wife. That’s the warning from the Law Society, which has just conducted a survey revealing

More than one million people are running the risk of leaving their partners with nothing when they die, because they haven’t made a will stating what should happen to their estate. As the law stands, if somebody dies intestate – without a will – then their assets will be inherited by their spouse or civil

The inheritance tax threshold could rise significantly before the general election in May 2015. Prime Minister David Cameron believes that families should not be made to pay large amounts of tax on homes where they have lived for several years. He hopes to increase the inheritance tax threshold in the coalition’s final budget before the

The government has simplified inheritance laws in order to modernise the process of dividing the assets of a person who dies without making will. It follows a review of intestacy law and a consultation carried out by the Law Commission. Under the new laws, if a person dies intestate, that is without leaving a will,

The Court of Protection has helped a family to settle a disagreement about the best way to care for their 84-year-old mother. The mother suffered from dementia and lived in a care home. She lacked the capacity to make the decision for herself about where she should live. As her condition worsened she moved into