When someone passes away, financial institutions are unlikely to release any assets in the Estate belonging to the Deceased (money, property and possessions) without a “Grant of Probate” (if they left a Will) or “Grant of Letters of Administration” (if they died Intestate, meaning without a Will). A Grant may not be required by financial institutions if the value of the Deceased’s Estate is fairly modest, however will always be required where there is a property.

Recent government proposals suggest that the ‘blue badge scheme’, which allows people to park closer to their destination free of charge, may be extended to those living with disabilities that are not always visible, such as autism and dementia. The proposals have received a welcome response in light of a recent report showing that 75% of blue badge holders admitted that they would go out less frequently if they were not part of the scheme. Supporters of the proposal feel that it will enable and encourage many more people to lead and to benefit from a more independent lifestyle.

It was recently held by the Court of Appeal in the case of Lynn Lewis v Thomas Warner [2017] EWCA 2182 (Civ) that “reasonable financial provision” for maintenance, as defined under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 (‘the Act’), could be fulfilled by an order to transfer the deceased’s (Mrs Blackwell) property to her surviving unmarried co-habiting partner (Mr Warner) for a sum greater than the value of the property.

The Philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft has stated that he is to invest $100 million (in the region of £76 million) of his own money into research towards a cure for Alzheimer’s.

Over the last 20 years the number of ways we can communicate with each other has increased dramatically as a result of increased public access to the world wide web and the creation of social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Skype.

As we know, current law does not recognise the common law spouse. If an unmarried person dies intestate (without a valid will), intestacy rules dictate that the estate would pass to their children (if any). If the person has no children then the estate is divided between family members in accordance with legislation.

The Law Society has stated that it supports the Law Commission’s proposal that Courts should be able to recognise people’s final wishes, even where there is not a traditionally valid Will.

With Halloween fast approaching, it’s time to dig out your old legal documents and dust off the cobwebs.