SRA Transparency Rules Cost & Service – Probate
Posted by The Dodds Solicitors Team
Posted in: Wills and Probate
Probate: Range of costs (with fixed fee for additional work) and fixed fee Our Wills and Probate department team headed up by Samantha Downs, who has a vast amount of experience when it comes to will writing tailored to a client’s individual needs as well as inheritance and tax planning and probate issues ranging for continue reading…
The Queen of Soul
Posted by Sarah Spence
Posted in: Wills and Probate
As many of you will be aware the legendary Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin passed away recently. You may be surprised to learn that although she was very wealthy (some reports say her wealth amounted to more than 80 million dollars) she had not in fact made a Will even though she had been battling continue reading…
Do I need to obtain Probate?
Posted by Samantha Downs
Posted in: Wills and Probate
This is a question we get asked a lot. But before I answer this question, you need to know what Probate is. So, what is Probate? Probate is the legal word for describing the legal steps that have to be taken following someone dying. Broadly, this means collecting in the deceased person’s assets, paying their continue reading…
Grant of Probate, To Be or Not to Be?
Posted by Sarah Spence
Posted in: Wills and Probate
That is the question you may have if a relative has passed away recently and left a Will. One of the trends of modern society is that generally we are all living for longer. The National Office for Statistics recently announced that average life expectancy for new born males is 79.2 and for females it continue reading…
Inheritance Act Claims Time is of the Essence
Posted by Sarah Spence
Posted in: Wills and Probate
Many people do not realise that if there is a dispute within a family after someone has died that you may only have a very short time to put in claim under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975. When someone dies it may be possible to apply for a Grant of Representation continue reading…
Did you hear Samantha Downs on BBC Radio Leicester talking about Lasting Powers of Attorney and the registration fee refunds?
Posted by Samantha Downs
Posted in: Wills and Probate
If the answer is no, then you can hear her by clicking this link – www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05vt5rw. Sam can be heard from 1 hour 13 minutes in if you want to skip to her part. If you would like to know more about the registration fee refunds, Sam helpfully posted about it here – www.dodds-solicitors.co.uk/news/power-attorney-refunds/. If continue reading…
Power of Attorney Refunds
Posted by Samantha Downs
Posted in: Wills and Probate
It has recently been announced that if you registered your Power of Attorney between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2017 you may be entitled to a refund of part of the registration fee. You can claim a refund if you are the person who made the Power of Attorney (the donor) or the person continue reading…
Local solicitor warns changes to powers of attorney may leave older and vulnerable at risk
Posted by Samantha Downs
Posted in: Wills and Probate
Local solicitor, Samantha Downs from Leicester issues warning following FCA’s call to turn lasting powers of attorney (LPAs) fully digital Proposals would remove the need for a physical ‘wet signature’ Solicitors say this could lead to a drastic increase in cases of financial abuse Local solicitor Samantha Downs from Dodds Solicitors LLP based in Leicester continue reading…
Local solicitor defends lasting powers of attorney
Posted by Samantha Downs
Posted in: Wills and Probate
• Local solicitor, Samantha Downs from Dodds Solicitors LLP, has defended lasting powers of attorney • This follows comments from a former senior judge that power of attorney orders are open to financial abuse • But national group Solicitors for the Elderly says with the right advice, powers of attorney can act as important safeguards continue reading…
Separation and divorce in later life
Posted by Jennifer McNeil
Posted in: Family/Mediation/Care, Mediation/Dispute Resolution, Wills and Probate
Separating at any time of life can be a very difficult process however in later life it can feel as though you are more vulnerable as your financial security is threatened. Those separating in their 30s, 40s and 50s have the benefit of time to go out and earn an income to provide for their continue reading…