Drafting a will is a significant milestone in planning your legacy. It ensures your wishes are honoured and protects your loved ones from unnecessary stress. However, writing a will is not a one-time task. Life is unpredictable, and so are the events that can affect your estate and your intentions for it. Keeping your will up to date is as important as writing it in the first place.

Two recent UK court rulings underline the importance of having a clear, up-to-date will and highlight the potential complications when a will isn’t regularly reviewed.

 The UK government's proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) in inheritance tax law have drawn significant attention, sparking both protests and discussions about their impact. Under the reforms, set to begin in April 2026, the 100% relief on agricultural and business property will apply only to the first £1 million of value. Property exceeding this limit will be taxed at 20%, a notable reduction from the standard 40% inheritance tax rate for other estates​.

When it comes to funding long-term care, Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs) can be a practical solution for many families. These agreements, available through local authorities, allow individuals to defer their care home fees by securing them against their property, usually the family home. While DPAs can be helpful, they come with complexities that families need to understand before making a commitment. Here, Hilary Cragg, Solicitor and Partner at Nash & Co Solicitors, shares expert advice on avoiding common pitfalls with DPAs and provides guidance to help families make informed decisions.

When planning for long-term care, many families face difficult financial decisions. Two of the most common options are Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs) and private funding, each offering distinct benefits and challenges. Choosing the right approach depends on your family’s financial situation, long-term goals, and comfort with the risks involved.

Although there have been whispers of changes to inheritance tax for quite some time in today’s budget these whispers became a reality as Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now outlined several changes to inheritance tax as part of a wider push to raise revenue.

Inheritance Tax (IHT) can have a significant impact on the amount that your beneficiaries receive from your estate. Understanding how it works and implementing strategies to minimise its impact can help ensure that your loved ones benefit as much as possible from your estate.

Asset Protection Trusts (APTs) are often used to manage and safeguard your assets, but it’s important to understand that they come with various tax implications that need careful consideration. Understanding these tax implications ensures that your trust has been set up correctly and operates in compliance with the law.

Asset Protection Trusts (APTs) are used for managing and protecting assets, which means it’s critical that it has been properly registered. Many APTs are legally required to register with HMRC both for reporting for tax purposes, and being entered on HMRC’s trust registration service (‘TRS’). This is essential to avoiding both legal and financial complications.

You may have heard of Asset Protection Trusts (APTs), sometimes known as Family Protection Trusts, in the news, or perhaps you or a loved one has a trust in place you started some years ago.

The closure of McClure Solicitors has left many former clients facing uncertainty and concern regarding their legal and financial arrangements. If you are a previous client of McClure Solicitors, it is crucial to take proactive steps to address any issues and secure your interests.

The collapse of McClure Solicitors has left many clients in a state of uncertainty and concern, particularly for those who had set up Family Protection Trusts. Former clients have found themselves left in the dark regarding their trusts and are now seeking advice about the best options available to them.

While Michael Jackson’s musical contributions continue to be celebrated, the management of his estate has been the subject of legal battles and family disputes. Recently, a new feud has unfolded, centring on Bigi Jackson, Michael's youngest son, and his claim against his grandmother, Katherine Jackson.

This International Women's Day, we're highlighting the journeys, challenges, and experiences of our female lawyers. Their stories show the importance of diversity, resilience, and empowerment in shaping an inclusive legal community. Claire Thompson, Solicitor in our Wills, Trusts,sTax and Probate team, shares her thoughts below.

if you are deemed to require residential care, then the Local Authority will carry out a financial assessment to determine how much, if any, of your care you will pay yourself. Your property is likely to be your main asset and it is normally what clients want to protect the most. If you jointly own a property, there is something that can be done to protect half of the value of the property.

Buying a property together is a milestone for any couple, but for unmarried partners, it comes with it’s own unique considerations. If your relationship is not legally recognised by a marriage or civil partnership then your contributions to a jointly owned property can be particularly vulnerable in the event of a separation.

It’s often said that the only certainties in life are death and taxes but, while taxes may be a certainty, the amount of tax you pay isn’t set in stone. Effective tax planning can be used to ensure that your tax liability is minimised.

If gifting a buy-to-let to let property, shares or investments is something that you are considering you might want to make that gift sooner rather than later!

A gift of a property shares or investments is considered a disposal for Capital Gains tax purposes which means that even though you don’t receive any money from the person receiving the property, Capital Gains tax can still arise.

McClure Solicitors went into administration in April 2021 and many ex-clients are now concerned about the legal documents they prepared previously through McClures. We have been actively helping a number of ex-clients of McClure Solicitors where, upon the advice of McClures, “Family Protection Trusts” were put in place and these types of legal documents in particular may not have been in the best interests of those clients