Arranging a funeral is a task that needs to be completed upon a death, but it can make an already difficult time even more stressful for those dealing with a bereavement. We appreciate that there is a lot to think about, so we have created this blog post to outline what is involved in arranging a funeral and how you can afford the funeral expenses.

Death remains to be a topic that many of us avoid thinking about and do not wish to discuss with our loved ones, which can sometimes lead to absent or ineffective estate planning. According to the ‘UK Wills & Probate Market 2020: Consumer Research Report’, less than 4 in 10 adults in the UK have made a Will, despite predictions that the COVID-19 pandemic would encourage more people to plan for the future.

The tasks that need to be considered following the death of a loved one are not something you will face on a regular basis. Therefore, knowing where to start can often be daunting and it can be a difficult process to get the ball rolling. Whilst many people opt to instruct an estate administration specialist to help, others choose the DIY (do it yourself) route in the hope of saving more money to maximise the amount of inheritance due to the beneficiaries of the estate.

It’s no secret - the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has posed several challenges to almost every aspect of our lives. The Wills and probate industry is no exception.

At a Conservative conference fringe event organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs and the Taxpayers’ Alliance, Chancellor Sajid Javid hinted that he could cut Inheritance Tax. After being asked whether he would scrap the tax, Sajid Javid shared how he understood arguments against the tax and suggested that he’s considering changes.

A substantial number of people act as an Executor every year, however, many people are still unaware of the responsibilities that come with the role. This guide aims to explain what it means to be an Executor, as well as what tasks could be involved. It also shares the risks you’ll face in the role, and inform you of your options when it comes to acting as an Executor.

Aretha Franklin died on the 16th of August 2018 at the age of 76 after an ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer. Recent news reports have now revealed how a handwritten Will has been discovered under a sofa cushion in the Queen of Soul’s home in Detroit. To ensure the Will’s validity, it is being examined by a handwriting expert.

At Kings Court Trust we’ve always been passionate about helping families at the difficult time of dealing with a bereavement. We achieve this by taking care of the practicalities after death so you can focus on life’s important moments. We’re pleased to announce a group of new estate solutions that will allow us to help even more families.

Back in May 2019, we wrote about how probate registries in England and Wales were suffering from processing delays on Grant of Probate and Grant of Letter of Administration applications. We’re now a couple of months down the line and the backlog continues. Therefore, we wanted to provide our clients and business partners with another update.