2024 has been a pivotal year in the landscape of wills and estate planning. We can reflect on the changes made throughout the year and there have been a number of key developments. This article delves into these developments and their implications.

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3 min read

A survivorship clause is exactly what it sounds like: a clause in a will that makes a gift to a beneficiary conditional upon them surviving the testator by a set period. While these clauses are commonly used in modern wills, it’s clear that many people don’t appreciate the adverse effects they can have on an estate.

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7 min read

There are two ways that a person can make a claim against a deceased’s estate, the first being a claim under the Inheritance Provision for Family and Dependants (IPFD) Act 1975. The second is on grounds of validity.

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5 min read

I had just left my chair, and Murphy jumped straight into my spot. I casually said, "Jump in my grave, why don't you? "An innocent phrase used by many of us. It reminded me of current plans for reopening closed burial grounds to address the issue of limited space in urban areas.

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1 min read

These are common questions regarding Wills, Trusts and Powers Of Attorney. All answers are simplified for the article; please get in touch with us directly for a fuller and personalised answer. No content on this website is advice.

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2 min read

Being appointed as an executor is a responsibility at a time where they are grieving the loss of a loved one.

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2 min read

If someone dies and their estate is worth more than the basic Inheritance Tax threshold, their estate may qualify for the residence nil rate band (RNRB) before any Inheritance Tax is due.

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4 min read

20 potential scenarios outlining what could happen to your assets after your passing.

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8 min read

A practical guide explaining the roles and duties of executors and trustees in a UK Will, including a step-by-step checklist, real-life examples, FAQs, and key legal points.

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7 min read

Ten common misconceptions about writing a Will.

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2 min read

Do you feel lucky enough to gamble your house and life savings? Or are you going to call Fern Wills, talk it through over a cup of coffee and avoid the 8 most common errors in Wills and the 50+ most common errors in LPAs?

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2 min read

Couples usually buy a property together as joint tenants, which means they both own the entire property, and the ownership automatically transfers to the surviving owner in case of one owner's death. If you want to gift your share of the home in your Will, you must change the ownership to tenants in common

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6 min read