As Wills and Probate solicitors, we hope you forgive us for going on about the importance of having a valid Will. Making a Will is a relatively inexpensive way of ensuring that your assets go to the right place when you are no longer around. Dying without a Will means that your loved ones are […]
The law which sets out how a Will is to be signed in order for it to be valid stems back to 1837 The Wills Act 1837 sets out that for a Will to be valid it must be signed in the presence of two independent adult witnesses, if this is not complied with the […]
Acting as a deputy or an attorney is an onerous task in the best of times and has become more difficult recently.
Using a Deed of Variation you can legally change a Will – but there are strict conditions. It is a way of reducing your inheritance in favour of someone else.
Dying Matters awareness week 2020 runs from 11th May to 17th May. This year’s theme is ‘Dying to be heard.’ Starting a conversation about death is never easy, especially with someone who is terminally ill or elderly, but we will all die one day. Having a conversation about death will not bring death any closer. […]
The Office of the Public Guardian has provided this guidance during the coronavirus outbreak You may not think that now is the best time to consider making a Lasting Power of Attorney given the current Coronavirus measures. However, you should never delay planning ahead for your future and the Office of the Public Guardian has […]
Changes to Inheritance Tax procedures following Coronavirus measures At Cunningtons, we welcome the changes that HM Revenue and Customs have announced in an attempt to minimise delays during the Coronavirus lockdown. Cheques and repayments HMRC will no longer be accepting cheques to pay inheritance tax, payments must now be made in one of the ways […]
It’s not exactly *breaking news* that we should all have a Will – though given the current panic, you’d think it was! By now, most of us will know someone who hasn’t made it through the current Covid-19 pandemic – and hopefully they would have left a valid Will to look after those left behind. […]
Current laws regarding the signing of Wills have been in place since 1837 Section 3 of the Wills Act 1837 sets out that no Will shall be valid unless: it is in writing, and signed by the testator, or by some other person in their presence and by their direction; and it appears that the […]
As we approach the end of tax year 2019/2020 on the 5th April 2020 now is a good time to make use of your annual exemption for gifts – if you have no already done so. Making use of ‘gifts’ Everyone has an annual exemption of £3,000.00 which allows you to make gifts of assets […]
Free Wills from Cunningtons for over 55s this March During the month of March 2020, Cunningtons Solicitors LLP will be taking part in Free Wills Month. Free Wills Month is organised by a number of different charities; the scheme is designed to reinforce the need for everyone to have a professionally-drawn up Will, while raising […]
Currently, in England and Wales only those who are married or civil partners do not have any inheritance tax to pay on assets left to them by their spouse. Any other class of people who live together do not enjoy the same inheritance rights and can potentially see an inheritance tax bill of 40% of […]