Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
A small estate does not automatically avoid probate. Whether a Grant is required depends on the assets involved, how they were owned and the requirements of banks, building societies and other organisations holding the deceased’s money or property.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Probate delays can leave executors and beneficiaries uncertain about what happens to an estate before the Grant is issued. Executors must continue protecting assets, managing urgent expenses and gathering information while avoiding actions that require formal authority.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The Inheritance Act allows certain relatives and dependants to challenge an estate where a Will or the intestacy rules have not made reasonable financial provision for them. Courts consider financial needs, family relationships, dependency and the estate’s circumstances.
Reading time: 5 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Moving overseas does not automatically remove an individual or their estate from UK inheritance tax. Exposure may continue where UK assets, long-term connections or relevant residence rules apply, making careful cross-border estate planning important.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Free Will Registration Month 2026 is drawing to a close. Registering the existence and location of your Will can make it easier for your family and executors to find the correct document when it is needed.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
As digital wealth becomes more common, estate planning is no longer limited to property, savings, and physical assets. With specialist expertise in will writing and probate, Ives & Co Solicitors supports clients in navigating modern challenges — including how to properly account for digital assets such as cryptocurrency within their estate.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Recent commentary in the legal press has raised concerns about what some are calling a potential “pensions IHT grenade” — a warning that pension funds may not always be as protected from inheritance tax as many assume. Here’s what that means in practical terms.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
When disagreements arise after someone passes away, one of the most important questions is: who pays the legal costs?
Recent sector commentary has highlighted growing concern about litigation funding and the circumstances in which costs can properly be paid from an estate.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
When legislation changes, particularly around inheritance tax and estates, it can directly affect grieving families. Recent warnings from the Law Society about the proposed Finance Bill highlight potential financial risks for the bereaved — and why careful estate planning has never been more important.
Reading time: 4 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
As families look ahead to a new year, many take the opportunity to put important legal affairs in order. At Ives & Co, our wills and probate specialists see January as a key moment when people pause, reflect, and plan for the future. In 2026, will-making is being shaped by changing family structures, evolving assets, and greater awareness of long-term planning — making this the ideal time to review what really matters.