The probate court is a special division managing the estates of deceased persons. In most cases it approves an executor and checks they are following the wishes of the departed. From time to time somebody disagrees with what the will says, or how the executor … [Read more...]
Claudia’s Law Brings Some Relief to Heartbroken Relatives
After a loved one goes missing, their financial affairs roll on. Utilities must still be paid or there is a chance they might lose their home. After a storm breaks a windowpane, someone must to repair it. However the missing person’s bank cannot compensate them because … [Read more...]
The Big ‘Probate Mystery’ Unravelled
Probate has cropped up in the UK news lately, what with the government changing the system and having computer problems implementing it. Brexit has been a huge distraction too. The polemic over probate fees is still not solved although the overall rules haven’t changed. … [Read more...]
Facts About Hoarding You May Be Too Shy to Ask
As many as one in twenty people in Britain are hoarders. This means somebody in your street or terrace may have a disorganized collection of junk. You probably won’t know about it unless they keep it in the yard. That’s because hoarders are usually quiet people who want … [Read more...]
Probate in the Royal Family Versus Choosing a Guardian
The Sun published a robust article on this controversial topic. We decided to attempt a more balanced version of how the law dictates royals - and the Queen in particular – should respond to a death in their immediate family. This has become more relevant given the … [Read more...]
What is Probate and How to Do It in England and Wales?
Probate is an old-fashioned word meaning ‘something proven’, in this case the intentions of a person leaving a will. In fact, much of our UK law around succession has strong overtones to days when marriage was sacrosanct, and the church was responsible for what happened … [Read more...]
An Overview of What Being an Executor Implies
You are legally responsible for the assets of a deceased person if you are appointed the executor of their estate, and there is a legal will. There may be other executors of course, including the solicitor who drafted the will, and the late person’s spouse or trusted … [Read more...]
What Can I Do to Help Someone Who Hoards?
We doubt there is a single person alive who does not keep a few things they don’t need any more. These items could have sentimental value, or we may expect to have a use for them in future. We may also simply forget they are on the top shelf of a cupboard we can’t reach … [Read more...]
Over Half Hong Kong Adults Are Compulsive Hoarders
Hong Kong became a British territory in 1842 after a spat over opium, although China got the land back in 1997. However, the special administrative region is still firmly British in terms of many ways of doing things. Woofoo Social Enterprise has been trying to convince … [Read more...]
How Intestacy Rules Apply Where There Is No Will
Intestacy refers to the situation of an estate when the deceased person left no will (or diligent effort failed to find their testament). If there is a will, but it only mentions a few assets then the balance of that estate is intestate too. However, either of … [Read more...]
