A report published by genealogist company, Title Research, has revealed that the number of Grants of Probate issued to solicitors has fallen.

For the first time in the UK, writing a will is to be fully regulated after the Legal Services Board found that some firms were offering an “unacceptable service for customers”, the Telegraph is reporting.

Anyone who leaves 10% of their estate’s net worth to charity upon death will undergo an inheritance tax rate cut from 40% to 36%, the government has announced.

Charities are having a hard time in this recession.

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations interviewed charity leaders and found that 98% of them said they were pessimistic about the economic outlook. (NCVO Charity Forecast Sept 2011.)

The Law Commission have published a report calling for a change to the intestacy provisions for unmarried couples.

In a sign of the times, more Britons are leaving internet passwords within their wills contributing to our nation’s ever-growing £2.3 billion digital inheritance.

A poll of 2,000 adults found 25% had more than £200 worth of films, video and music stored online and nearly a third considered their haul important enough to be left with loved ones should the worst happen.

Daniel Carruthers was charged with six counts of fraud by abuse of position after being granted power of attorney by his father who suffers from advanced dementia. A judge at Carlisle Crown Court told him that he had been “thoroughly dishonest” after using the money for his own needs rather than paying his father’s care fees.

Lasting Powers of Attorney allow you to name someone you trust to step into your shoes and deal with your affairs should you be unable to deal with them yourself through mental or physical incapacity.