News and Knowledge

7 reasons why you should be cautious of unregulated Will-writing services

Writing a Will can be a daunting and emotional task, and we know it can be tempting to go for a cheap or online service to get the job done.   However, in many cases, these low-cost online Will writing services are carried out by cowboy companies that are not regulated by the Solicitors Regulation…

Five things to think about when writing a Will

Writing a Will can be an emotional and daunting task, but it is essential to have one in place to ensure your property and possessions are divided how you wish when you die.   Your Will can also include non-financial assets, such as what will happen to your pets when you are no longer here,…

Strange Will requests

We stumbled across an article about strange Will requests and thought we would delve into the examples it shared.   Here are six unusual stipulations that have turned up in people’s last wishes, with one famous case in there that we had never come across.   Anti-moustache clause Henry Budd of Berkshire died in 1862,…

What are Lasting Powers of Attorney and why are they important?

There are two types of Power of Attorney – Health and Welfare, and Property and Finance. Martin Lewis recently spoke about the importance of the Property and Finance one.   Powers of Attorney can be made at any age and if you have any assets that you want to protect in case of any unforeseen…

Homemade Wills – Should I make my own Will?

Many of us may feel that we do not need a Will, or that our instructions are so simple, we can make our own Will at home explaining what we wish to happen in the event of our death.   Homemade Wills have been increasing in popularity over recent years and so have disputes over…

A Guide To Gender Neutral Wills

To make it easier to understand, our Wills and Probate team have compiled a guide to Wills regarding people who identify as gender neutral.   What does Gender Neutral mean? A person who identifies as non-binary identifies as neither male or female and prefers the use of gender-neutral pronouns (such as they/them). Gender neutral language…

Pride Month: Writing Wills for same-sex couples

June marks National Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating LGBTQ+ communities and inclusivity.   The National Month of Celebration came about after New York’s Stonewall riots in 1969, which acted as a catalyst for the gay rights movement across the world. Now, National Pride Month sees celebrations of love take place across the globe every year,…

Green Funerals

With climate change being a hot topic in recent years, it makes sense that the bereavement industry also needs to consider ways to be more environmentally friendly, such as Green Funerals.   Our clients when considering their funeral instructions to include in their Wills often discuss the more environmentally friendly funeral options which are available…

Does My Will Need Updating?

When a Will is made, the terms of the Will reflect the wishes of the Testator (the maker of the Will) at that particular time. The Testator made the Will with the intention that those wishes are followed. However, over time as our personal circumstances change or indeed those of our intended beneficiaries, it is…

Providing ID in Times of Self-Isolation

How can I show proof of my ID due to self-isolation (and social distancing)? It is a legal requirement for a solicitor to request proof of your identification before accepting instructions to act on your behalf. This is usually either a passport or a driving licence being provided, alongside a utility bill – gas, electricity,…