Tag: Wills & Inheritance

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In a time when both our business models and personal relationships are being tested to their limits, it is important to understand how the breakdown of a relationship can affect your business.

This webinar is essential viewing for all entrepreneurs who are:

• Married or considering marriage in the future
• With a business partner who is married or might get married in the future
• In business with their romantic partner
• Employing their romantic partner
• With business loans secured against a jointly owned residence

Because…

Your spouse could “own” 50% of your business, even if they have never been involved with it.

What does this mean?

If you separate you might need to “buy them out” or give them shares in the business.  There are also tax implications.

In this webinar we will consider:

• Real-life separation case studies from business owners who started their businesses before and during marriage, including horror stories that you will want to avoid.
• Cost-effective legal steps to help you protect your business whilst ensuring you can provide fairly for your spouse, including pre-nups, post-nups, cohabitation agreements and trusts.
• Practical tips for anyone considering divorce who does not have protections in place.
• Legal strategies to negotiate a fair outcome for everyone.

Why can we talk to you about this?  As law firm specialising in Family and Private Wealth firm, we help entrepreneurs, directors and investors to protect their professional interests from personal life events, so they can achieve their lifetime ambitions and leave the legacy they intend.  We also deal with the legal fall-out for those who do not take these steps.

Other Allard Bailey webinars for Fresh Business Thinking:

1. How to use the law to align your personal and professional goals so that you can maximise growth in all areas: View here.
2. How to protect your business from events in your personal life that can have a significant impact, such as your unexpected incapacity, death or personal debt: View here.

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When you run a business there is always an interaction between your professional and personal life, so it is important to understand how the decisions you make in your private life can impact your business.

This is the second in a three-part webinar series in which we look at how to legally align your professional and personal interests so that:

• the value of your wealth is maximised
• your business is protected from significant life events
• you can achieve your ultimate life goals.

In this webinar we will focus on how to shield your business from unexpected life events that can have a significant and sometimes catastrophic impact.

You will learn about the Four Ds and how they can affect your business. In all scenarios we will discuss cost-effective legal tools to protect your business, when and how to use them.

• Death:
  • What can happen to your business if you die without a will?
  • How to ensure your business can continue to operate without you
  • The difference between a Business Will and a regular Will
• Disappearance:
  • Can anyone fill management functions if sudden incapacity from an accident or illness causes you or a business partner to temporarily disappear from the business?
  • How to minimise the operational impact of temporary incapacity using a Business Lasting Power of Attorney
  • How to keep the business running, or allow it to be sold, if you experience long-term incapacity
• Divorce:
  • Is your spouse entitled to 50% of your business?
  • How to ring fence pre-existing assets including your business
  • Ways to shield your business from the financial and emotional impact of relationship breakdown
• Debt:
  • When your personal finances will affect your business
  • How company structures and Trusts can shield your business from personal creditors

In the final webinar of this series, we will look further at how your family and personal relationships can affect your business and how effective planning can minimise this.

A replay of the first webinar which explained how you can use the law to align your personal and professional interests and maximise growth in all areas can be viewed here.

Why can we talk to you about this? We specialise in helping entrepreneurs, directors and investors to protect their professional interests from personal life events, so they can achieve their lifetime ambitions and leave the legacy they intend. We also deal with the legal fall-out for those who do not take these steps.

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When you run a business there is always an overlap between your professional and personal life. To ensure you can realise your goals, it is important to understand how the decisions you make in your private life can impact your business interests and vice versa.

We specialise in helping entrepreneurs, directors and investors to protect their professional interests from personal life events, so they can achieve their lifetime ambitions and leave the legacy they intend. We also deal with the legal fall-out for those who do not take these steps.

This is the first in a three-part webinar series in which we look at how to legally align your professional and personal interests so that:

• the value of your wealth is maximised
• your business is protected from significant life events
• you can achieve your ultimate life goals.

In the first webinar we will focus on how to grow efficiently and you will learn:

• Whether the company structure you have in place will help or hinder your personal goals including enjoying life now or in retirement, creating a family business, leaving a personal legacy and charitable aims.
• How to grow your business in a way that allows you to meet both your professional and personal ambitions.
• How to structure your personal wealth to achieve your short, medium and long-term goals.
• How to protect your long-term interests and those of your family, including vulnerable persons, using different legal tools.

In part 2, we will discuss the legal tools you can use to shield your business from the impact of personal life events such as unexpected incapacity, death, marriage and divorce.

In part 3, we will consider how your personal relationships can affect your business and how effective planning can minimise this.

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The reality is that anyone can become incapacitated at any time through illness or accident, so it makes sense to prepare for that possibility.  Depending on the length of time you are out of action, the consequences for your life may be minimal, but the consequences for your business could be more significant.  For example:

• If you are the only signatory for payroll, what will happen if you are unable to sign for the foreseeable future?
• How will the business operate if a Co-Director is unable to co-sign contracts or guarantees?

What is a Business LPA? 
A Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is an effective way of protecting your business from the operational impact of sudden and unforeseen absence.

As with  all LPAs, it is a legally binding document, which assigns one or more trusted people to help you make decisions or to make decisions on your behalf.  These trusted people are called Attorneys.  For more details on Lasting Power of Attorneys please see Lasting Powers of Attorney.

A Business LPA deals with business assets only and should appoint an Attorney with the requisite qualifications and abilities to manage your business for you for a sustained period if necessary. For example, if you are a dentist running a dental practice, then appointing your spouse who has expertise in say, retail, is not going to be suitable.  Rather, partners of your dental practice or other such professionals would be better suited to managing your practice.  It is important to note that some industries impose regulatory restrictions on who can manage a business within that profession.

Business LPA’s can be as detailed as you like and can appoint multiple Attorneys to handle different areas of the business.  They provide a platform for you to explain to your Attorney(s) exactly how you would like your business to be run and what they should do with it in certain sets of circumstances.  This may include the way in which they continue to keep it going whilst you are unable to, or the steps you would like them to take to close the business by way of sale, transfer or otherwise.

Your Business LPA should also give permission to your Attorney(s) to employ the services of other professionals, generally or specifically, to assist them.  As, for example, if you have a financial advisor who usually helps you with certain investments, they will require your express permission to liaise with your Attorney or they would be unable to continue managing your investments without a court order.

Are There Other options?
Another way in which this can be addressed is by putting in place a Property and Financial Affairs Lasting Power of Attorney in which you appoint an Attorney who would be responsible for looking after your interests in your business.

However, a Business LPA ensures an appropriate separation between your business and personal affairs so that you have the right person looking after each aspect of your life.  Putting in place a detailed business LPA will ensure that your business interests continue to operate smoothly in the event that you are unable to manage them yourself.  You might consider making it a prerequisite for all company stakeholders.

In addition to a Business LPA we also recommend that business owners consider succession planning and prepare a detailed Business Will to preserve their business and personal interests should the worst happen, you can read more about succession planning and Business Wills here.

LEGAL ADVICE

For more information on preparing a detailed and effective Business Lasting Power of Attorney to protect your company contact Sangeeta Rabadia.

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Key Considerations for Business Owners
The most common business types are sole traders, partnerships and incorporated companies.  Depending on the businesses structure, documents such as shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and articles of association usually set out the basis for how it is owned and managed.  It is also possible for these documents to dictate what happens to each owners’ share in the business should they die.

In our experience, these terms are often draconian, leading to forced buy outs, depreciation of value and occasionally even dissolution of an owners share with no benefit to their heirs.  It is therefore important to ensure there are adequate business documents with appropriate options for your heirs and surviving business associates to consider on your passing.

It is also important that you deal with your business properly within your Will to ensure that it is administered effectively and passed to your intended heirs.  The contents of your Will should reflect the options contained within the business documents and provide heirs with the appropriate legal route to maximise the value of their inheritance.

Below are examples of some of the things you should consider:

• Should you appoint executors who are solely responsible for the administration of your business? While you may prefer for family members to deal with your personal assets, it is often more appropriate for business partners or other professionals such as solicitors to deal with business assets. This can be particularly important if you would like the business to continue operating.
• Do you need to assign trustees to manage business interests for minors? If your beneficiaries are minor children they are not going to be able to manage the business themselves or make decisions as to whether they should retain or sell their share.  You could consider setting up trusts or other structures to ensure their interest in the business is looked after by competent people until they can take over themselves.  This ensures that the business can continue to operate smoothly and that practical day to day matters can be addressed with ease.
• Are any of your beneficiaries vulnerable? For vulnerable beneficiaries who may never be able to manage the assets themselves, it is important to ensure that a long-term structure is put in place to protect their interests.  You could consider whether to set up a trust or appoint an appropriate deputy to act on their behalf.  You might decide it is more appropriate for the business, or your share, to be sold and proceeds then held for the beneficiary.  Whatever you choose, it is important that your Will provides for the mechanism in which your wishes can be carried out.
• Would you like your employees to receive a share of the business? It is not uncommon for small business owners who have grown their company with a loyal team to want some or all of their employees to receive some value from the business.  In this situation you might consider an employee share scheme or a more general share in the profits.
• What are the tax implications? As with other assets, the value of your business may be subject to inheritance tax.  A qualified professional can help you consider what reliefs may be available to your beneficiaries, what you can do during your lifetime and what you can do within the terms of your Will to maximise these tax reliefs.  For example, we worked with a client who sold his marketing company for a large sum, which had obvious benefits to him in life, but negated the availability of business property relief on death.  We subsequently advised and assisted him in the investment of the sale proceeds into vehicles which would qualify for tax reliefs when he died.  We can also assist you in managing your personal taxes, such as Income tax and Capital Gains Tax, which are linked to your profit share from your business interests.

Other Business Interests
The above considerations are not just important for people who own a business.  They are also necessary if you have business interests such as rental properties, investment portfolios and other stocks and shares.

The way in which these assets are owned will have just as much impact on how they are inherited and how much inheritance tax is paid on your death.  For example, rental properties will not necessarily qualify for special inheritance tax reliefs.  An effective solicitor can help you structure your portfolio to not only maximise the use of tax reliefs during your life time, but also ensure a smooth transition to your beneficiaries so that they do not pay more inheritance tax than they need to.  At Allard Bailey Family Law, we achieve this with a combination of lifetime planning and implementation as well as succession planning through effective Wills.

A Special Note on Investment Portfolios
Investment portfolios are often held in a variety of structures, depending on what your financial advisor believes to be most effective for each investment.  If your advisor does not have an overview of your entire estate, it may mean that you minimise your liability for one tax, whilst inadvertently increasing the liability for another tax.  It is therefore advisable for your entire estate and holdings to be reviewed periodically.

You should also be aware that if your investments are held in trust they will fall out of your estate so you cannot dictate how these assets are dealt with in your Will.

LEGAL ADVICE

To ensure that your wishes can be carried out in the best way for you and your beneficiaries, it is advisable to seek professional advice when considering how to plan the succession of your business and other investments.  It is also advisable to prepare a detailed Business Lasting Power of Attorney to protect your business in the event of unforeseen absence caused by sudden incapacity.  For more information on how we can assist you please contact Sangeeta Rabadia.

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Lack of Mental Capacity

When you give instructions and then execute your Will, you will need to know what you are doing and understand the full implications of your actions.

In legal terms this broadly means you, the Testator (person making the Will), will need to:

• Understand that you are making a Will and how a Will works
• Understand what assets and liabilities you have and what you are gifting in your Will
• Appreciate how others will be affected by the contents of your Will and that you will be expected to make provisions for certain people
• Not have a disorder that affects your mind causing you to dispose of your assets in a manner that you would not otherwise do so

Mental Capacity is a complex area as it is possible for you to have capacity for certain matters and not for others, for example if you have periods of lucidity making it difficult to know when it is the right time to take instructions or execute your Will. Sometimes, the issue of capacity may not be obvious and that can make the job of the Will writer very difficult.

It is these complexities that often lead to questions being raised after the Testator dies. If a serious question of capacity is raised, it will be for those beneficiaries wanting to rely on the Will to prove that you did not lack mental capacity when you executed your Will.

How can I Protect my Will from Challenges for Lack of Mental Capacity?

An important step is to use a professional Will writer.  A good practitioner will always ask appropriate questions during the initial meeting to establish whether there may be any concerns about your mental capacity.

If there are concerns, they will follow the ‘Golden Rule’ and an appropriate medical practitioner will be asked to assess you and determine whether you are able to execute a Will.  The medical practitioner will be encouraged to act as a witness when the Will is signed, but this is not always possible.

If you anticipate a dispute then it is a good idea to speak to a medical practitioner anyway and have the discussion recorded in medical logs or reports, which can be used as evidence by your intended beneficiaries if necessary. It is worth noting that records detailing your health at the time the Will is executed will always be useful evidence, even if mental capacity is not considered to be an issue at that time.

We recommend that you regularly review your Will with your practitioner to demonstrate that you have not changed your mind during the passage of time.  If there are significant changes to a Will, then there should be a detailed discussion as to why those changes are being made and this discussion should be noted on the practitioner’s file.

If you feel comfortable in doing so, you should also have open and frank discussions about your wishes and the contents of your Will with beneficiaries, friends and family.  If they are aware that your wishes have been consistent or understand the reasons for any changes it can reduce the likelihood of challenges.

Undue Influence

A Will is a record of your, the Testator’s, wishes of how you want your estate distributed after your death. It is for you to make those choices and no one else. If anyone else makes or influences those choices the Will cannot be valid. The most obvious example of undue influence is when someone forces you to leave assets in a specified manner for fear for repercussions, such as being told you will not be looked after properly, threats of abuse, threats of being disowned and so on.  This can be especially terrifying for the elderly and vulnerable.

The examples above are transparent but undue Influence is not always this obvious, another example would be causing you to have untrue beliefs about a proposed beneficiary.  A recent matter that we assisted on involved of a father who was made to believe that one of his sons was not taking care of him properly, which led him to exclude the son from his Will.  This kind of undue influence is known as fraudulent calumny.

How can I Protect my Will from Challenges of Undue Influence?

A good practitioner will always ask to see you on your own so that you are free to speak openly without reprisal.

They will also have discussions with you to ensure that any changes to your Will are rational and properly considered and that you fully understand the implications. If there are any concerns a practitioner will refuse to act and may even report their suspicions to the appropriate authorities.

Unfortunately, undue influence can be hard to notice so you should be open and frank with your practitioner, who will note the conversation in their records.  If it is feasible, a discussion with any family about your wishes is also encouraged.  Not only will this show there is no undue influence, it may also prevent any disputes or animosity after your Will is read.

Challenging Wills made during the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to think about the importance of Wills.  At the start of lockdown there was a 70% surge in Will instructions. However, the need for social distancing has meant that taking instructions and executing Wills has been problematic for some.  Video or telephone calls with a practitioner may get the job done, but it does make it harder to identify issues and this could lead to problems when your Will has to be used.

If you have executed your Will during this pandemic period and have any concerns about future challenges, we recommend that you get your will reviewed once you are able to meet with a practitioner in person.

LEGAL ADVICE

At Allard Bailey Family Law we regularly assist in drafting Wills where there are complex or sensitive wishes and can help you to protect your intended beneficiaries from unwarranted challenges, as well as defending them should disputes occur.

To book a consultation or telephone appointment, please contact Sangeeta Rabadia on 020 7993 2936.

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Income Tax
Marriage Allowance allows married and civil partnered couples to transfer part of their tax allowance to their spouse, which can reduce their tax bill by up to £250 each year.  To benefit as a couple, one spouse would need to earn less than the other and have an income of £12,500 or less.  This is not available to cohabiting couples.

Capital Gains Tax
Capital Gains Tax is usually paid on the net gain arising from a disposal of assets.  Assets gifted or sold to a spouse do not attract Capital Gains Tax.  However, if the assets are sold at a later stage then the base value used for the calculation will be the value at which the disposing spouse acquired the asset.

Again, this spousal exemption does not apply to cohabiting couples.  This could mean that adding your partner’s name to a property that does not qualify for principal private residence relief will attract a Capital Gains tax charge of 18% or 28%.

Pensions
Generally, pensions make provisions for a surviving spouse to receive payments when the pension contributor dies.  There are no automatic rights for cohabiting couples.  Instead, the partner would have to be specifically nominated as a beneficiary in order to access the funds in the pension.  Whilst companies and employers are making changes to their pension schemes to take cohabitation into account, not everyone has, and it is always advisable to ensure that you understand exactly how your pension would work in relation to your partner.

Married and civil partnered couples may also receive part of their spouses Additional State Pension (also known as State Second Pension or SERPs).  This benefit is not extended to a cohabiting couple.

Inheritance Tax
Inheritance tax is the area where cohabiting couples pay significantly more than a married or civil partnership couple.

Spouses are able to transfer everything they own to their spouses on death with no inheritance tax implications.  If this happens then any unused nil rate allowance and residential nil rate allowance (subject to linear decedents inheriting) can be used on the death of the second spouse.

In contrast, if a cohabiting partner inherits any assets, they will have to pay 40% tax on any inheritance above the nil rate allowance (currently £325,000).  The residential nil rate allowance will not be available and unused allowances cannot be transferred.

If a spouse dies without leaving a Will, the intestacy rules enable the surviving spouse to inherit some, if not all, of the deceased spouse’s estate.  In contrast, there is no automatic provision for cohabiting couples under intestacy rules.  The impact can be enormous if assets are not jointly owned.

What can you do?
Couples who are simply opposed to the institution of marriage have the option to enter into a civil partnership to take advantage of the tax reliefs.  Those who prefer to continue living as a cohabiting couple are advised to ensure that their estate is managed in a tax efficient manner and they have a valid Will to protect their partner and any children.

You can learn more about the importance of Wills for safeguarding your children’s future here.

LEGAL ADVICE

If you require legal advice or assistance to on tax, trusts, wills or estate planning please contact Sangeeta Rabadia or call 020 7993 2936 to request a consultation.

*according to the latest information released by The National Office of Statistics, which reports a 25.8% increase in the decade 2008 – 2018.

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What can I do if there is not a Lasting Power of Attorney?

If someone you know loses the ability to make decisions for themselves, and there is no Lasting Power of Attorney in place, it is advisable to make an application for Deputyship to give you the authority to look after their affairs on their behalf.

This process can be quite lengthy, sometimes taking over 6 months to complete. With the ongoing pandemic, this time-frame has been extended further.

What can I do if I need to make urgent decisions?

You may be able to make some decisions yourself, without having to revert to a court for assistance. When making such decisions, the key is that it must be in the best interest of the individual concerned. We recommend that you always seek advice to ensure you are acting within the remit of any relevant legislation and are not vulnerable to prosecution.

There are some decisions for which you will need to make an application to the Court of Protection.  The application you make will depend on what you are asking the court to make a decision about.

Finances – If the decision relates to someone’s finances, you will always need to make a Deputyship application. The application would need to state that there are urgent matters that need to be considered. Urgent matters may include accessing a bank account to pay bills or authority to complete a property transaction which has stalled.

Health and Welfare – If the decision relates to someone’s health and welfare, it may be necessary to make an emergency application to the court. Such applications usually relate to medical treatment (including whether to switch off a life support machine or not), removing someone from their home or the deprivation of their liberty (having to confine them in an institution). For such applications, forms still need to be completed but it is recommended that you speak to the court prior to lodging any application. In practice, this application will be much quicker than a normal Deputyship application.

An urgent application to the Court of Protection is not necessary if you are simply trying to assist someone who is vulnerable and has their movement restricted because of the pandemic. If you find yourself wanting to help someone in this position then a General Power of Attorney may be a more suitable option for you. Please click here for more information.

Do I still need to apply for Deputyship if I only need a decision on one matter?

If the decision relates to finances, then the answer is likely to be yes. If someone cannot manage their affairs now, then it may be that they will not be able to do so going forward or at least for some time. As such it would be advisable to obtain a Deputyship. This can be revoked if and when the individual can make their own decisions again.

If the decision relates to health and welfare, then a general Deputyship order may not be appropriate. The Court of Protection will only grant such a Deputyship in very limited circumstances.

Are the courts still open?

Courts continue to operate a best as they can. Urgent applications continue to be heard and are given priority. Such hearings take place by telephone or video conference and it is likely that this will continue for some time.

It may be the case that a hearing is not even necessary and the court can make a decision based on the evidence that has been submitted. In our experience the courts are acting as swiftly as they can to ensure that applications are dealt with efficiently.

The pandemic has caused standard Court of Protection applications to be processed more slowly. This may mean that you need to submit an urgent application in the meantime so as to allow you quicker access to an individual’s affairs.

Urgent applications have to be drafted and submitted in a short frame of time and are often complex. As such we would always recommend that you seek professional advice prior to making any such application.

LEGAL ADVICE

If you require legal advice or assistance to make an application to the Court of Protection, request a Deputyship or execute a Lasting Power of Attorney please contact Sangeeta Rabadia to arrange a Consultation.

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Guardianship: Who Will Look After Your Child?

When both parents pass-away whilst a child is still underage, there is no one with parental responsibility who can take over the role of a parent.

Parental responsibility is a term used to describe the legal rights and responsibilities of a parent, which include housing, protecting and maintaining their child.  All mothers and most fathers gain parental responsibility when a child is born.  In some situations, such as adoption, parental responsibility will later be transferred to other responsible adults.

If there is no-one with parental responsibility to take care of a child, it will fall on the authorities to choose an appropriate caretaker. You may be surprised to hear that family members are not necessarily the people who end up caring for a child and, although they will try, it is not always possible for the authorities to house siblings together.

By making a valid Will, you can name those that you most trust to take care of your child as legal Guardians in the event of your untimely death. Furthermore, you can specify your wishes in terms of their upbringing to ensure they are cared for in the way you intended.

Nominating guardians can be particularly important in complicated family situations where parents are separated and it may not be appropriate for the other parent to assume care of a child.

It is of course important to discuss your wishes with your preferred Guardians to ensure that they are both willing and able to fulfil this important role.

Your Child’s Inheritance

If you do not have a valid Will in place, the distribution of your assets will be governed by intestacy laws, which may be contrary to your intentions.  A valid Will ensures that your assets are distributed in accordance with your wishes.

If you are married or in a civil partnership, the majority of your estate would usually be inherited by your legal partner (this is the case if there are children from the relationship).

If you do not have a legally recognised spouse, your estate would usually be divided equally between your children.  However, English law does not allow for assets to be directly inherited by children until they reach the age of 18.  A ‘trust’ is therefore imposed when assets are left to minors in your Will.  You appoint executors or trustees who are responsible for looking after those assets until each child reaches a nominated age. In the absence of a Will, the law decides who becomes responsible, and again, it may not be the person whom you would personally entrust with such a responsibility.

If you are in the process of separation, you should be aware that your former spouse remains one of your heirs until your relationship has legally ended and could inherit your estate instead of your children.  Click here for further information on the importance of updating your will as soon as you decide to separate.

Even after you are divorced, if your ex-partner has parental responsibility, they could be appointed to look after your assets on behalf of the children. Some people will be comfortable with this, others will not.

Wills are not only for those with significant assets, they are a key tool in ensuring your children and their inheritance are protected.  It is advisable to use a solicitor to draft or at least check your Will to ensure that it will have the effect that you want.  Mistakes can mean that your wishes are not followed.

LEGAL ADVICE

You can update your Will as often as you want or need to reflect your wishes.  To protect your Will from challenges you should always use a professional Will writer to do this. For an initial discussion about your situation, please call 020 7993 2936.

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Who Should Prepare a Lasting Power of Attorney?

It is sensible for everyone over the age of 18 to have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). LPA’s act as an insurance policy.  They are something you hope you never have to use but are there just in case. There are two types of LPA: ‘Property and Financial Affairs’ and ‘Health and Welfare’.  Both allow you to nominate people, referred to as attorneys, to look after you and your interests if you become incapacitated.

Why?

If you do not have an LPA in place, your loved ones would have to apply to the court for a deputyship order to make decisions on your behalf.  This is a time consuming and costly process, which may not allow the Deputy the same level of access to your affairs as you would wish.  You might also find yourself with an unwanted person looking after your interests.

During a temporary or more permanent incapacity, the LPA’s will ensure that bills are paid, the fridge is stocked and the children do not go without.

LPAs are also important for business owners who are the only person in their company with the authority to make financial decisions.  For further information read our blog: Business Owners Should Protect their Operations in case they are Incapacitated by Coronavirus

You should be aware that an LPA must be registered and this can take up to 2 months from submission of the application.  It may not come into effect before you need it in this pandemic, but we would recommend that you get the process going as discussions are taking place to reduce the timeframe and it will be helpful to have an expression of your wishes should anything happen.

Is there a quicker alternative?

If you are concerned about what will happen if you fall ill before an LPA takes effect, you can execute a General Power of Attorney (GPA) for the interim.  This can be drafted by a solicitor and is valid from the moment it is executed.  A GPA is usually valid for up to 12 months and can be as specific or as general as you want it to be.

Although we do not recommend that you leave it until the last minute, we can prepare urgent GPA’s if you start to show symptoms of illness.

Who Should Prepare a Will?

The simple answer is anyone who cares what will happen to those left behind.  You might not have vast wealth to leave to anyone, but if you have young children you can set out your wishes for them, as well as leaving specific sentimental gifts to family members and friends.

Without a Will, or an up-to-date Will, you could leave behind uncertainty, pass inheritance to unwanted persons and control in the hands of people you would never have chosen.

Those going through a separation or divorce are particularly vulnerable to this.  You need to be aware that your ex-partner continues to be your legal spouse and heir until your relationship has legally ended.  Unless you prepare a Will that states otherwise, your ex will continue to enjoy the rights of inheritance for a spouse.  For further information please read our blog: Why You Should Update Your Will As Soon As You Decide to Separate

Seeing a Solicitor without breaching the Stay At Home rules

We are continuing to support our clients with their Private Wealth, Wills  and Estate Planning matters whilst respecting current Government guidance on social distancing.  You can meet with us via video call or we can take your instructions on the telephone or in email.

For further information about preparing or contesting a Will or Power of Attorney, please contact Sangeeta Rabadia.

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The solution is a General Power of Attorney (GPA), which can be drafted by a solicitor and is valid from the moment it is executed.  A GPA is usually valid for 12 months and can be as specific or general as you want it to be, authorising a named person to undertake defined business functions on your behalf and, if necessary, covering your personal finances too.

We recommend that all small and medium sized business owners who do not have a contingency in place execute a General Power of Attorney, whilst simultaneously registering a Lasting Power of Attorney.

Although we would not advise you to wait until the last minute, it is possible to put an urgent General Power of Attorney in place if you start to show symptoms of illness.

For further information please contact our resident Private Wealth Specialist Sangeeta Rabadia.

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What happens to my estate if I do not update my Will before my divorce is finalised?

If you have a Will naming your spouse as a beneficiary, it will remain valid until your divorce is finalised with a Decree Absolute.  This may only take a few months, but it can also take years.  Should anything happen to you in the interim, your estate will be administered according to your Will.

It is common for spouses to be an executor as well as the main beneficiary of each other’s Wills.  If you do not want them to be in charge of your estate should anything happen to you, you should update your Will as soon as possible.

Does my divorce or dissolution invalidate my existing Will?

No, it does not.  If you do not update your Will after your relationship has legally ended, any gifts to your ex-spouse will fail, but there may be other unwanted consequences.  The assets in your Will originally intended to pass to your ex-spouse may be governed by intestacy rules, which could conflict with how you would have wished them to be distributed.

If your ex-spouse was the named executor of your estate, this may mean that you are left without an executor and left to the law to decide who will be responsible for your assets.

What happens if I do not have a Will?

In UK, if you do not have a Will your spouse or civil partner is one of your (or possibly your sole) legal heirs and would remain so until your relationship has legally ended.  Even if you have separated with a court order, they will remain an heir until your relationship has legally ended

What does this mean for my Beneficiaries?

In all these situations, your ex-partner could benefit from your estate and it would fall to your intended beneficiaries to challenge this at a time when they should be allowed to grieve.

We would therefore strongly recommend that you review your Will as soon as it is clear your relationship is ending.

Legal Advice

You can update your Will as often as you want or need to reflect your wishes.  To protect your Will from challenges you should always use a professional Will writer to do this. For an initial discussion about your situation, please call 020 7993 2936.

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