The OPG’s annual report states that the average actual clearance time for power of attorney (POA) applications in England and Wales is 76 working days compared with the target of 40.

In figures published on Friday, the Revenue confirmed that receipts from Inheritance Tax for the first quarter of this financial year came to a staggering £2.1 billion. This figure is £83 million higher than for the same quarter, April to June, last year and represents a huge increase for the Revenue’s coffers.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has recently reported that, along with most other parliamentary committees, the probate service inquiry conducted by the House of Commons justice select committee was disbanded at the dissolution of Parliament on 30 May 2024.

A recent High Court case has highlighted the need for clarity when leaving gifts to charities in Wills.

As the General Election approaches and polls indicate a strong Labour advantage, there is a lot of speculation about the implications of a new government for the UK, especially in terms of tax policies. If Labour do secure a victory, what is the likelihood of reforms to Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax?

In a recent comment the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS), a think-tank, has claimed that eliminating and/or reducing Business and Agricultural Property reliefs, tax reliefs on pension schemes, and Aim share investments would make the tax system fairer, and raise up to £2.7bn in the current tax year. However, commentators have suggested that the IFS’ calculations ignore the potentially perilous wider economic consequences of the decision and practical implications for small businesses and farmers. 

The UK government has claimed that the probate service is now in recovery mode after replacing its senior management team following a series of delays and complaints.

In a recent High Court case, the Court considered whether a deceased’s wife lost the money left to her in her husband’s Will because she brought a claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Act 1975 (“the 1975 Act”). 

The role of certificate provider was introduced by the Office of the Public Guardian as a safeguard for people signing Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs). LPAs are used to appoint attorneys to assist with a person’s affairs, which could include their finances and their personal welfare.

In September 2020, the UK Parliament passed an order that amended the Wills Act 1837, a law that dates back to the Victorian era. The order allowed people to make valid Wills by using video-conferencing or other visual transmission, as long as the witnesses could see and hear the testator (the person making the Will) in real time. This was a temporary measure to help people who were self-isolating or facing lockdown restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The order applied to Wills made on or after 31 January 2020, and was initially set to expire on 31 January 2022.

A discretionary trust is a piggy bank into which assets are placed and which are looked after by your trustees on behalf of a pool of beneficiaries chosen by you.

Making a Lasting Power of Attorney may seem like a task for another day, but as time goes on, our ability to manage our affairs may decrease or be prevented by an unexpected illness or accident. By making sure that you have the documents in place, and registered, this helps to ensure that a trusted person can step in to assist you when you need it most.