"Not necessarily", is the answer to the question, 'Will my wife inherit my estate?' I have found that there's a widely-held misconception that if one half of a married couple dies, the survivor will automatically inherit everything, whether or not the person leaves a will. It is true to say that if a married couple... Continue Reading →
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Tax-efficient gifts
If you are thinking of making some tax-efficient gifts to your family, you could consider the relatively little-known but extremely tax-efficient possibility of making pension contributions on their behalf. This can result in a huge tax saving of 90% of the value of the gift overall, partly in inheritance tax savings and partly in income... Continue Reading →
Charitable Giving
why charitable giving is tax-efficient
Lockdown Treat
If you're local to Beaconsfield and need a lockdown treat to cheer up your January, I have just the thing. <Disclaimer - there will be no legal advice whatsoever in this post. I knew you'd be disappointed.> Last week, I bumped into a client and friend who was radiating well-fed contentment. He mentioned that he'd... Continue Reading →
Harry Potter’s Inheritance
Harry Potter's inheritance
Legacy Failure
Have you ever wondered why legacies in a Will may fail? Here are eight of the main reasons for legacy failure - and how to avoid them. 1. Beneficiary witnessed the Will A beneficiary or their spouse/civil partner witnessing the Will is a big testamentary no-no, and will mean that the legacy in that person's... Continue Reading →
New Year’s Resolution – Make a Will
Happy New Year, everybody! Are you looking for an achievable, worthwhile New Year's resolution that's easier than sticking to healthy eating and cheaper than an annual gym membership? Make it your New Year's resolution to make a Will. It is one of the most important things you will ever do for your family. If you've... Continue Reading →
£800M Inheritance Tax Windfall from Covid
Matthew Lynn in the Telegraph reports that the government has released figures this week indicating that it will receive an inheritance tax windfall of an additional £800M this year as a result of the pandemic. This comes at a time when many taxes such as corporation tax, fuel duty and air passenger duty are in... Continue Reading →
Certified Copy Lasting Power of Attorney
How to certify a copy of a Lasting Power of Attorney
Islamic Wills
Islamic Wills are a fascinating and specialist area of the law. From time to time, I meet Muslim couples who are struggling to agree on how best to structure their Wills. Sometimes, one spouse is keen to follow the traditional principles of Islamic Wills, with 1/3 of their estate ultimately passing to their daughter(s) and... Continue Reading →