Blog Posts/Our News
Changing the Narrative in the Estate Planning Sector: Prioritising Expertise Over Price
Estate Planning in Recent Years In recent years, the estate planning sector has seen an increasing focus on online Wills, fuelled by digital advancements and shifting consumer behaviours. While the convenience and affordability of online Will writing services attract many, the narrative around estate planning has become worryingly focused on
Estate Planning for Pet Owners: Ensuring Your Pets Are Cared for After You’re Gone
What happens to your pets when you’re not here? For many of us, our pets are part of the family, offering companionship and unconditional love. However, when it comes to estate planning in England and Wales, it’s essential to make provisions for your furry friends, as pets cannot directly inherit
How SLS Wills and More Safeguards Clients in Response to CMA Draft Guidelines
Back in May the CMA introduced draft guidelines for consumer protection… Here is our take… The draft guidelines issued by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) back in a June are a timely reminder of the importance of transparency and consumer protection within the Will writing and broader legal services
Common Myths About Wills
Having practised in private client for so long I’ve heard just about every excuse and reason why people don’t need or haven’t got a Will. Here are some of the most common and frustrating myths. I don’t need a Will – My partner will get everything… Not True. If
Will Writing in East Kent
Will Writing in East Kent If you’re looking for a trusted Will Writer in East Kent then look no further. SLS Wills and More is run by founder Sara Sheppard who has more than 35 years of experience in estate planning and estate administration. As well as being incredibly experienced
Commercial/Business Lasting Powers of Attorney – What are they?
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a legal document through which you authorise a chosen person to make certain decisions on your behalf. The decisions that you authorise your chosen person to make can be either in relation to your finances, for which an LPA for property and affairs will be
Football and Estate Planning
Many of us have lost our partners or husbands to the sofa over the last week with the start of the euros and it got us thinking. We were looking to find a tenuous link between football and estate planning and we found one… (not ideal of course)… Initially
The un-married partner scenario
“I’m not married, do I need a Will?” I have lost count of the number of times I have been told that I don’t need a Will, when in reality, this is not the case. We have written lots of articles about reasons why people need a Will
Business LPAs explained
A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is a fundamentally important legal document through which you authorise a chosen person to make certain decisions on your behalf. The decisions that you authorise your attorney to make can be either in relation to your finances, for which an LPA for property and
Health and Welfare LPAs
A Brief Re-Introduction There are two types of LPA; a Health and Welfare LPA and one governing your Property and Financial Affairs. Both equally important but serving two different purposes. In this short article, we’ll explore the importance of a Health and Welfare LPA. Health and Welfare LPAs In a
What happens if I can’t find a Will? (lost Will)
Talking to loved ones about preparing a will may seem grim, but the reality is without a will, things could potentially become complicated and stressful. When a person dies without leaving a valid will, their property must be shared out according to certain rules. These are called the rules of intestacy.
Famous Wills and Estates
Jimi Hendrix Rock star Jimi Hendrix died 50 years ago in 1970 but is a perfect example of the importance of having a Will. The battle over his estate raged on for more than 30 years because he had no Will. What makes matters more complicated is that musicians often
Films / Movies about Inheritance
Best Movies Dealing With Inheritance There are a number of movies about money and more specifically about an inheritance. Here are some of the best movies dealing with the important subject of writing your Will. Its worth noting that some of the messages get a little confused… For clarity here
Probate and Estate Administration Explained
When someone passes away it can be a very challenging time and knowing what to do can be tough. Probate can sometimes seem like a bit of a maze so in this short article we have summarized the steps needed to wind up an estate. Bear in mind that we
What is Estate Administration?
Estate Administration is the process of dealing with a person’s legal and tax affairs after they have died. It involves far more than obtaining a Grant of Probate (Confirmation in Scotland) which is just one element of the process. This means dealing with all their assets; such as property, shares
How much does a Will cost?
This is a question which, whilst important to many people writing their Will, also indicates one of the motivations not to write a Will, and it shouldn’t be a barrier. It’s also rather a contentious question because everyone wants a bargain. When we are talking about the most important legal
What is a Business Will?
We all know the importance of writing a Will to preserve, protect and pass on our wealth but did you know that if you have a business, a share in a business or a ‘business interest’ then you should consider estate planning seriously. Not having a business Will in place
How Inheritance Tax Works (IHT)
Inheritance Tax is an incredibly complex subject but vitally important and its origins date back to the Napoleonic Wars when the government introduced a levy to help fund the wars against Napoleon. As the name suggests it’s a tax that we pay based on the value of our estate. Our
