An Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) was the precursor to a Lasting Power of Attorney (‘LPA’). LPAs were introduced in 2007 as it was felt safeguards were required to stop financial abuse of those who required an attorney (‘Donors’).
It is often said that our pets are part of our family, but many pet owners forget to make sure appropriate provisions are in place for when they pass away and leave their furry friends behind.
When a person dies without leaving a valid Will, their estate is said to be intestate. In such circumstances, their estate will be distributed in accordance with inheritance laws known as the rules of intestacy.
Recently Martin Lewis spoke about ‘future proofing your finances’ urging people to address those unpleasant topics of conversation with friends and family members to ensure their Wills are up to date and they get Powers of Attorney in place to avoid difficulties later in life.
The High Court has recently made an important decision after Master McQuail exercised the Court’s discretion to modify the forfeiture rule and granted full relief in the circumstances of a ‘mercy killing’.
Mental capacity is a complex issue that many individuals often take a broad brush approach towards. It is a common misconception that when an individual is deemed to have capacity they are completely unable to make decisions for themselves in respect of finances, care or any other factors ongoing in their lives. An individual can […]
This case considers the relationship between the common law test of testamentary capacity, as set out in Banks v Goodfellow (1870) LR 5 QB 549 and the test for capacity set down in ss.2-3 Mental Capacity Act 2005.
Homemade or DIY Wills are not a new phenomenon and have been around for some time. To some a Will may look fairly straightforward, especially when things such as a high street ‘Will Kits’ are so readily available, how difficult can it be?
All too often, those acting on behalf of ‘P’ (a Protected Person), in making decisions within their best interests, forget the importance of the specific individual of whom we blanket refer to a ‘P’.
Coming to terms with the death of a loved one can be an extremely sensitive and upsetting time. Understandably, this time can become deeply distressing when the circumstances of their death are unclear, or unknown.
If approached by someone extolling the virtues of Asset Protection Trusts (‘APTs’), it would be wise to think twice before agreeing to create a trust which could potentially cause you and your family serious distress.
A recent episode of Coronation Street has provided a timely reminder of the importance of understanding how Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) work.
With Halloween just around the corner don’t let your affairs be the stuff of nightmares. The importance of making a Will cannot but underestimated, yet statistics suggest around 60% of us don’t have a Will.
It’s been another excellent year for Ramsdens in The Legal 500 UK 2023 rankings.
Capacity is a vital part of making a Will. If an individual lacks testamentary capacity, they cannot make a Will.
This week our Court of Protection team are supporting Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week. The theme this year is diagnosis and the team have produced some helpful signs to look out for…
Ramsdens Solicitors LLP has recently announced its latest round of promotions for 2022. The promotions took effect from the 3 May and comprises of staff members from across its Private Client and Commercial services.
This week is Dementia UK’s annual ‘Time For A Cuppa’ fundraising week. Over the last 12 years, Time For A Cuppa hosts have raised over one million pounds for Dementia UK, enabling the charity to continue to provide vital support and guidance to the hundreds of thousands of families facing dementia in the UK
On Thursday 28 April, the UK Probate Research Awards named Ramsdens’ Private Client team and Senior Associate, Michael Robinson winners of the ‘Best Probate Law Firm: North England’ and ‘Young Will and Probate Professional’ awards respectively.
STEP has announced that the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) is changing its guidance in relation to the inclusion of express discretionary investment management clauses in Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA’s).
The Office of the Public Guardian have recently published their updated safeguarding guidance and our Court of Protection team have created a useful summary below.
Whilst we might all acknowledge that having a Will is a good idea, the reality is that for many of us it is a ‘round to it’ thing and we never get ‘round to it’!
Most people will receive DWP benefits at some point in their lives, even if it is only State Pension, and many will receive means-tested benefits.
Ramsdens Solicitors Private Client department have, for the fourth year in a row, been shortlisted for the Best Probate Law Firm North England at the UK Probate Research Awards 2022. The team, who have won the prestigious award for the past three years, are hoping to retain their title, which recognises the excellence of the services delivered and support they provide to probate researchers.
The core value of the Dignity in Care campaign is to change the culture of care services by improving the quality of care and experiences received by users of care and support, whether that be in the community or in services such as care homes and NHS hospitals.
The summer of 2020 saw the introduction of legislation temporarily amending The Wills Act 1837.
“You are worth more dead than alive” is a quote that you may have heard from time to time before and in the most part this statement is true.
For the first in our #TraineeThrowback series we talked to our Private Client Solicitor, Alastair James about his journey from Trainee, to Solicitor and President!
Losing a loved one is never easy but during the last year due to the Covid Pandemic many who have lost family members or friends have endured prolonged anguish and grief due to isolation caused by social distancing.
The episode ‘For Richer, For Poorer’ on BBC Sounds aims to cover the vulnerabilities that adults with Dementia may face when entering into a marriage. Datshiane Navanayagam, who regularly reports for BBC and Channel 4, spoke to a number of families who had been the subject of a ‘predatory marriage’.
