In 2019, the Office of the Public Guardian learned that nearly 75 percent of people think that their partners or close family members can automatically make decisions for them if they’re not able to. This is not true; only a lasting power of attorney (LPA) gives you the legal ability to give those you trust
In ensuring that Lasting Powers of Attorney can keep up with an ever modernising world, the Office of the Public Guardian has launched a new online service. Appropriately titled “Use a lasting power of attorney service”, the new system makes it easier than ever before to act as an attorney and it rolled out to
While it is still too soon for any certainty and teething problems are likely to persist, it is possible to speculate and draw some current conclusions on the effect of Brexit on some areas of UK legal practice.
People are being urged to update their wills to include their digital assets as a way of preventing problems for their family after they die. Research by the Law Society shows that just over a quarter of those surveyed know what happens to their digital assets when they die. An overwhelming 93% had not included
A woman has won the right to inherit her father’s estate after a “DIY will” supposedly signed on his deathbed was ruled invalid. Terri Tibbles had been the sole beneficiary of a will her father William wrote a year before he died. In a letter of wishes attached to that will, Mr Tibbles said that
The New Year isn’t only a time to make resolutions about losing weight or getting fitter…it’s also an opportunity to assess your future, especially in these times of Covid-19. There are many ways to do this and the law can certainly play its part. One good option is to set up a lasting power of
The Covid-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the number of people making or updating a will, but many have yet to put their affairs in order. Research by the Law Society shows that 7% of all respondents and 6% of those who identified as keyworkers made or updated their will during the first
The government says it’s committed to building a million new homes over the next five years with a greater emphasis being placed on quality and beauty. It wants tree-lined streets and zero-carbon ratings to become the norm as quickly as possible. Many of the ideas are contained in the report, Living in Beauty, by the
The government has provided brief but useful advice on Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and how they can be used to help people who are no longer able to make decisions for themselves. An LPA is a legal document that you can draw up when you’re fit and healthy authorising someone you choose to make
All non-contentious probate applications where there is a will in place must now be made online. The service, known as MyHMCTS, was set up by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to streamline applications, enabling probate professionals to issue, pay for and manage applications within civil and family courts and tribunals. It went live on 2