In 2023, the median duration of marriages (for opposite sex couples) was 12.9 years with approximately 42% of marriages, in England and Wales, ending in divorce. Few of those that go on to re-marry realise the importance of protecting their children with careful estate planning and a new will. In this blog, Dunham McCarthy explains...
The current law, in the UK, dictates that a will be automatically revoked when you enter into marriage or a civil partnership. This is a fact that many people are unaware of. In fact, a recent survey, by ‘Will Aid,’ highlighted that a staggering 56% of UK adults did not know about this ancient rule...
Many of us understand the benefits of will legacies; they help a good cause that you believe in, after your gone, whilst reducing the IHT liability on your estate. However, the high salaries that some CEO’s and directors receive can serve to put some people off giving to one or two worthwhile causes. In this...
Last year the UK saw a five year high in probate disputes – according to ‘The Ministry of Justice.’ This demonstrates a growing trend for feuds over inheritances as well as illustrating not only the importance of getting a will in place, but also, ensuring that your will is as detailed and effective as it...
Dying without a will, is known as dying intestate. This means that if you don’t have a Will in place, you won’t have a say in what happens to your money, property and possessions upon your death. The number of intestacy cases, in England and Wales, is rising sharply, according to the latest figures from...
Bank’s can be a challenge for Executors dealing with the probate process – often causing time delays and confusion that can greatly add to the stress of a loved one’s death. A ‘Which’ survey, conducted in April 2025, found that whilst most banks have their own dedicated bereavement teams and policies, ‘They should do more...
Since 1984 farmers and agricultural land and business owners have been exempt from IHT, but this is set to change. From April 2026, the first £1 million of combined business and agricultural assets will continue to attract no inheritance tax at all, but for assets over £1 million, inheritance tax will apply. Inheritance tax (IHT) is...
The ‘Wills Act 1837,’ the legislation which sets out the requirements for a valid will, is nearly two centuries old! Therefore, reforms and the implementation of new laws – to reflect modern day life, have been long overdue. The Law Commission has unveiled a landmark report and a new draft bill proposing sweeping reforms to...
Inheritance tax (IHT) is a tax on the estate (the property, money and possessions) of someone who’s died and recently the government has proposed some fundamental changes as to what’s included within an estate. IHT is charged at 40% and the estate threshold, for paying IHT, currently stands at £325,00 and the government has recently...
In his November statement, Jeremy Hunt has frozen the current NRB at £325,000 and RNRB at £175,000. The budget states that “qualifying estates can continue to pass on up to £500,000 and the estate of a surviving spouse or civil partner can pass on up to £1 million without an inheritance tax liability”. While this...
