Reading time: 7 minutes
Written by: Curt Thomas, Head of Private Client Services at Ives & Co Solicitors
When should you update your Will? Discover why regular reviews matter, which life events can affect your Will and how to ensure your wishes remain protected in England and Wales.
Reading time: 7 minutes
Written by: Curt Thomas, Head of Private Client Services at Ives & Co Solicitors
What happens if you die without a Will? Discover how the intestacy rules work in England and Wales, who inherits your property and assets, and why making a Will can help protect your loved ones.
Reading time: 7 minutes
Written by: Curt Thomas, Head of Private Client Services at Ives & Co Solicitors
Do you need a Will? Discover why making a Will matters, what happens if you die without one and how you can protect your loved ones and ensure your wishes are respected in England and Wales.
Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Curt Thomas, Head of Private Client Services at Ives & Co Solicitors
Ives & Co Solicitors celebrates 40 years of supporting individuals and families with special Will and Lasting Power of Attorney packages, alongside compassionate advice on planning for the future.
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.