The importance of a Will can never be overstated if you want to be sure that your estate is managed and distributed in the way you want, to the people you want, after your death. Whilst there are clear rules on what happens to intestate estates, that doesn’t mean it’s a straightforward process, particularly when […]
For many collectors, a personal collection is far more than a financial investment; it’s a reflection of years of passion, expertise, and dedication. Whether it’s a carefully curated array of rare stamps, vintage coins, luxury watches, wine, fine art, Star Wars memorabilia, or antique books, these items often hold significant personal and financial value. Yet, […]
Case of Angelova v Kershaw & Anor (Executors of the Estate of Peter John Bryant (Deceased)) [2024] EWHC 1830 (Ch) (24 July 2024) Judgement The judgement in this matter was handed down on 24 July 2024. It is an interesting claim for rectification of a Will under Section 20 of the Administration of Justice Act […]
Here we tackle the very important but often avoided topic of what happens to your stamp collection after you are gone. Stephanie Bradley, Associate at Ramsdens, tells us how she became involved in the philatelic market and how she helps stamp collectors with specialised collector wills. Stephanie has worked for the firm for nearly 20 years, […]
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.
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’.
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?
Need to know how to get power of attorney for an elderly parent with dementia? Read our guide to find out how to arrange an LPA on behalf of a family member.
A transferral of assets may be considered as deprivation if the intent of the action was to reduce the financial responsibility of an individual for their own care. Read our blog post to find out more.
In this blog, Sarah Hodkinson and Niamh Docherty from the Private Client Team at Ramsdens solicitors explain the importance of ensuring that a Will is regularly reviewed and kept up to date.
Margaret Wynn Owen was forced to wear a deceased care home resident’s clothing and have her hair cut by the staff after her friend, Brian, cruelly swindled her out of her life savings of £65,000 leaving her penniless…
As the nights begin to draw in and another year moves to a rapidly to a close, we often start to think about what we have achieved during the year and whether have got round to completing those ‘round to it’ jobs that seem to perpetually appear on our ‘to do’ lists.
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).
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’!
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.
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’.
Many of our clients are often surprised to learn that a Grant of Probate is required to deal with their loved ones Estate.
