Wills, Probate and Trusts

5th April 2022

Creating a will with a life interest trust over your property allows you to ensure that your home passes to those you choose, whilst also allowing you to provide for another loved one during their lifetime. ‘Life interest trust wills ...

10th February 2022

While celebrities often have many professional advisors who look after their business affairs, like many ordinary people they sometimes do not get around to making a will and setting out their particular wishes. ‘When you die without a ...

3rd November 2021

We are delighted to welcome Georgia Chandler to the Wills, Probate and Trusts department. James Sawers, Partner and Head of the Wills, Probate and Trust department, stated “I am delighted that Georgia has joined our team. She joins us ...

19th October 2021

Making a lasting power of attorney for your finances is an important part of lifetime legal planning, especially if you have built up a portfolio of assets and investments which require regular management. While this legal authority ...

5th August 2021

Next of kin is a commonly used term in everyday language, yet despite its frequent use ‘next of kin’ only provides legal rights where children are concerned and, even then, only in certain circumstances. The general rule is that the ...

9th June 2021

Living through a global pandemic has meant seeing loved ones taken from us at an alarming rate, and it has been distressing for many to see someone taken into hospital and not know if you might be able to see them again. ‘Whilst ...

5th May 2021

If you are someone’s executor, then it can be tempting to try to administer the estate yourself with a view to saving money. If the estate is simple and you are comfortable with the legal and tax regulations, then this may be fairly ...

15th March 2021

There have been a number of changes in regard to marriage law since 2004, with the most recent being the introduction of opposite-sex civil partnerships in 2019.  These changes have provided clarity over legal rights and financial ...

1st March 2021

If you are an executor of an estate, you may need to deal with debts that have been left behind. Any estate may have debts to be considered, even if the deceased was wealthy – it is reported that Michael Jackson died with around $500 ...

Hills
10th March 2020

When a loved one dies it can seem very daunting having to deal with their affairs. “For many people it is a case of knowing who to turn to and what to do next. It can be very easy to feel overwhelmed,” says Ben Holden, Wills and ...

13th January 2020

Never made a Will?  Made a Will but it is out of date?  Either way you could risk your nest egg passing to the wrong person and leaving your loved ones in the lurch.  Make 2020 the year you make a new Will. “The ...

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors
16th July 2018

In 2017 new rules were introduced to allow home owners to a claim an additional allowance to reduce their Inheritance Tax (or IHT) liability.  This news came as a welcome relief to many homeowners wishing to pass their most prized ...