It starts with a  question.  That question is:  are you happy with what would happen to your minor children if you and your spouse or partner both died?  If the answer comes in the form of more questions or guilty discomfort, please read on. Death of a parent No-one knows exactly how many children aged…

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Since it began notable development during 12th Century England, the concept of trusts has confused any number of people.   If you have only some vague notion that ‘trusts’ can be used to save money or somehow used for your family’s benefit, but would like to further your understanding, please read on. What is a trust?…

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What is a letter of wishes and how should I use one? They are non-legally binding documents that accompany Wills and trusts, normally expressing the personal wishes of the person making the Will (‘testator’) or trust (‘settlor’) about how they would like things done or important personal information that is desired to be kept outside of the Will. …

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Introduction There is no way to prevent someone from challenging your Will or bringing a claim against your estate after you have died.  However, there must be valid grounds to mount a challenge or bring a claim.    It is possible for someone to benefit financially from having a Will declared invalid by the court because,…

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Why are court cases regarding Wills on the rise? There has been a recent and sharp rise in claims being brought in the High Court to challenge the validity of a deceased’s Will.  No-one really knows for certain why that is the case, but educated guesswork based on limited data indicates that the reasons might…

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Estate planning very broadly involves maximising your wealth and then arranging your affairs to utilise that wealth to provide financial security for yourself and your family, in the manner of your choosing, while benefiting from as much tax saving as possible. Here are five brief estate planning tips that you should be aware of: 1.…

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