Reading time: 3 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Liam Payne’s reported death without a Will highlights how intestacy rules determine who inherits an estate and who is responsible for administering it. Making a valid Will allows you to choose your beneficiaries, appoint trusted executors and provide clear instructions for your assets.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Contested Wills are becoming more common as changing family structures, concerns about mental capacity and higher-value estates increase the potential for disputes. A professionally prepared and regularly reviewed Will can help clarify your wishes and reduce the risk of future conflict.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Government action, additional staffing and increased use of digital applications significantly reduced probate waiting times during 2024. Faster processing offers welcome relief to families, beneficiaries and charities, although accurate applications remain important for avoiding preventable delays.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Inheritance Tax receipts are rising as frozen thresholds and increasing property values bring more estates within the tax net. Proposed changes affecting pensions and agricultural and business property relief further highlight the importance of reviewing Wills and estate-planning arrangements regularly.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief could create significant Inheritance Tax liabilities for farming families. The article examines how the reforms may affect farm succession and outlines planning options involving lifetime gifts, spousal exemptions, business structures and insurance.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
The UK’s ageing population is increasing demand for Wills, probate, trusts and wider estate-planning services. Digitalisation is improving accessibility and efficiency, but changing family circumstances and growth in contentious probate continue to make personalised legal advice important.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Bereaved families can face inconsistent processes, repeated requests for information and delays when notifying organisations or administering an estate. Clearer national standards could encourage more compassionate communication, simpler procedures and better coordination between service providers.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors
Consumers in England and Wales report high satisfaction with legal services, but their expectations differ in areas such as face-to-face advice, pricing transparency and complaint handling. Understanding these preferences can help legal providers build trust and deliver more accessible, client-focused support.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors Families administering estates can face delays of up to a year when liquidating shares in British companies acquired by US corporations. Different regulatory requirements, overseas transfer agents and the need for a Medallion Signature Guarantee can make these transactions particularly complex.
Reading time: 2 minutes
Written by: Ruth Stevenson, Director/Solicitor at Ives & Co Solicitors Bereaved partners experiencing financial hardship may qualify for a waiver of the usual UK settlement application fee. The policy applies to eligible family-visa holders who meet the destitution criteria, helping them secure greater stability after the death of their partner.