Wills, Trusts & Probate

The Law Society has warned that the severe backlog in probate applications is having a detrimental effect on those mourning the loss of their loved ones. The warning is part of the Society’s evidence to the Justice Select Committee’s probate inquiry. A Law Society spokesman said: “We are aware of significant delays to the probate

The husband of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, Scott Mitchell, has been named the People’s Champion of the National Mission to Beat Dementia. The appointment comes alongside £6 million in funding to boost clinical trials and innovation to detect and treat the disease early. The ‘Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission’ was launched in August 2022,

Television personal finance expert Martin Lewis has urged people to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). He stressed that they provided crucial protection, not just for the elderly but for the young as well. Mr Lewis told viewers on his ITV show: “This is really important. A power of attorney is more important

The Law Society has warned that a move to electronic wills could lead to an increase in fraud. It says more research is needed before they are introduced. The concern was raised in the Society’s response to the Law Commission’s consultation on wills reform. The commission is consulting on the issue of electronic wills due

The Law Commission is seeking views on the possible introduction of electronic wills, which it says are now becoming feasible due to technological advances. It also wants to explore ways to deal with predatory marriages that exploit vulnerable people. During the Covid pandemic, several countries, including the UK, allowed paper wills to be witnessed virtually.

The unfortunate dispute that arose recently among Aretha Franklin’s sons illustrates what can happen when a person dies without having made a properly drafted will. The legendary soul singer died in 2018. At the time, it was thought she had not made a will, so her estate was divided equally between her four sons. However,