by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
A valid Will can still be challenged. Under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, spouses, civil partners, former spouses who haven’t remarried, children, stepchildren, dependants, and cohabitees of two years or more can claim the Will...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
Amended money laundering regulations changed the Trust Registration Service rules on 30 June 2026. Some non-UK trusts with UK links are now caught for the first time, while genuinely low-risk trusts get new easements. Because it cuts both ways, every trust needs...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
If you die without a will in England or Wales, a rigid set of rules decides who inherits — and the result often shocks families. Your spouse gets personal possessions plus the first £322,000 and half the remainder. Your children share the rest. If your estate includes...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
Being named as an executor is not an honour — it is a legal job. You are personally responsible for securing assets, valuing everything, paying debts and taxes, applying for probate (now £526), and distributing the estate exactly as the Will directs. The process takes...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
On 13 July 2026, probate fees in England and Wales rose from £300 to £526 — a 75 per cent increase. The fee is only part of the cost. Processing delays, HMRC requirements, and incomplete applications can stretch the timeline from weeks to months. Current average...
by johnireland | Legal Spotlight
Will Disputes Have Risen 50 Per Cent in a Decade More complex families, higher property values, and bigger gaps between expectations and reality are driving a surge in contested Wills. Understanding the grounds for challenge — and how to prevent them — protects your...
