Emma Stewart

Whilst there is increasing awareness of Lasting Powers of Attorney and a greater appreciation for their importance, some people still underestimate the impact of not preparing these documents. A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document that enables...

Planning for the future isn’t always comfortable—but it is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your assets. Two key documents form the foundation of good future planning: a Will and Lasting...

You will have heard the prime minister’s speech yesterday about “painful” tax rises in October when the new Government has its first budget. The Chancellor has ruled out increases in Income tax, National Insurance and VAT so that only...

This is one of the first questions people ask when someone dies. Often, probate isn't needed particularly if a person only has joint bank accounts, or their house is owned jointly with their spouse or partner. If they own bank accounts in their sole...

Most of us have a digit footprint on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and the like. We also have photographs, videos and other memories stored with Google, Apple and Meta. Have you thought about what happens to all those images and memories when you die or if...

New figures show that 4.5 million additional people are caring for others because of the pandemic, and this is on top of the 9.1 million unpaid carers who were already caring before the pandemic according to recent figures released for Carers Week. This...

During the current restrictions, it has become much more difficult to deal with some of the aspects of bereavement that were normally done in person. At the moment, the only way to register a death is by telephone. When one of your family has died, the...

Help with bereavement during the COVID-19 restrictions We understand how difficult it is at this time if you have lost a loved one and are trying to arrange the funeral. If you are Self-isolating or Shielding and need...

On 24 February 2017, the Ministry of Justice published responses to its consultation on reforming the fees payable for Grants of Representation (“Probate”). Currently an application for Probate is either £155 if done via a solicitor...

If a person loses capacity to deal with their financial assets and they have made a Lasting Power of Attorney for Property & Financial Affairs before that point in time, their Attorneys can act on their behalf to deal with their financial affairs. ...

In August 2015, most of the EU member states incorporated into law the EU Succession Regulations which change the way your property can be dealt with when you die. The UK has not incorporated the Regulations; however, if you own property in a EU member...

Many people do not know whether they own their house as joint tenants or tenants in common. It is really important to know the difference because it determines what happens when you die. Joint tenants means that you and the other owner own the whole of the...

These are the words that solicitors hate to hear. It is a common misconception that being married means that if you don't have a Will, everything goes to your spouse. It will only go to your spouse in certain circumstances: if you do not...