A recent Freedom of Information request, published by The Telegraph has shown the confusion over complex Inheritance Tax provisions. The number of estates being investigated by the Revenue is at a four-year high, with numerous families having to suffer scrutiny.

The Mental Capacity Act 2005 originally envisaged two providers of deputyship services outside of the family members of those requiring assistance: solicitors and local authorities.  Mechanisms for both forms of service providers were included in the Act and its connected guidance.  The 15 years during which the Act 2005 has been in place, however, have seen a dramatic development in the landscape in which deputyships are granted and administered.  

Where someone passes away without a valid Will and without known close relatives, the first step is to see if they had any relations who may be entitled to claim from their estate. If nobody in the relevant categories has survived them, their assets will fall to the Crown – or, due to some historic rules, sometimes the Duchy of Cornwall or Lancaster.

If you are starting a business, you will probably want to know which business model is right for you. The way in which you set up your business can have many implications including tax, how you are paid, ownership, how business decisions are made, and the level of administration you may need to do.

Duncan James, member of British boyband ‘Blue’, actor and theatre star, has been appointed as the first ever ambassador for Cauda Equina Champions Charity (CECC).

The probate service is under pressure due to the number of enquiries checking on the progress of cases and asking general questions. They had been in the middle of a restructuring when the pandemic hit, potentially adding to the current pressure on them.

The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has launched a digital ‘Use a Lasting Power of Attorney’ tool to help make attorneyship administration simpler and safer for those involved.

With the stay in possession proceedings ending on 24 August 2020 there is renewed uncertainty for the future.

Many of us believe that our next of kin will automatically be able to make medical decisions for us if something unfortunate were to happen, but this isn’t entirely true.

LPAs came into place in 2007, but before then Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) were available instead. There is no need to worry if you have an EPA, rather than an LPA, as correctly made EPAs are still perfectly valid.

According to a recent report, another result of the Coronavirus pandemic will be falling markets and a decrease in house prices. Which will have an affect not just on those looking to buy and sell their own homes, but also Executors and Administrators of estates for family or friends that have sadly passed.

Rural communities have felt the impact of Coronavirus and lockdown often more dramatically than more urbanised areas. With local businesses being the main focus point for employment and community, the loss of income and closing of them has hit local people the hardest.