We understand that the task of administering someone’s estate after their passing can be a confusing and complicated process, especially whilst dealing with the death of a loved one or friend. Being given this responsibility is often a testament to the trust and close relationship you may have had with someone who’s passed away. It’s often viewed as somewhat of an honour to be involved in organising the affairs of those who have departed and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here at Kings Court Trust, we understand that you may not have prior knowledge of what estate administration is, but also, the many technical terms it involves, until you are required to start the process yourself. We strive to make this time as simple, pain-free, and easy as possible for anybody embarking on this journey. That’s why everything we do has the wellbeing of our clients at its very core. With that in mind, we have created a jargon-busting glossary of terms to explain the ins and outs of estate administration as clearly as possible for you.

Many adults in the UK do not have a valid Will. They may have a Letter of Wishes or documented their requests in other ways, but a Will must be formally witnessed and signed in order to make it legally valid. Whilst you can make a Will yourself, it is strongly advised you discuss your circumstances with a professional to ensure you are considering all your needs. Additionally, a professional Will Writer will have the facilities to store your Will securely, which ensures that it is easily accessible upon your death.

When estate planning, there are some things that are essential to include. For example: who will inherit any property, who may care for a dependent child, or what should happen to various personal belongings. One thing that often gets overlooked is what happens to a person’s digital assets.

What are the UK rules of intestacy? When someone dies without a Will, they are said to have died intestate, and their estate must be distributed following the rules of intestacy.

When coming to terms with the death of a loved one, the grieving period can be disrupted or worsened by issues with their Will, inheritance disputes, or other complications. These difficulties are often highlighted by high-profile probate and estate administration cases. This blog explores lessons that can be drawn from prominent celebrity deaths and the complexities that arose upon their passing.

Musician, DJ and record producer, Avicii died on 20th April 2018 after reportedly taking his own life. The Swedish electronic dance artist whose real name was Tim Bergling was born in 1989. Despite being just 28 years of age at the time of his death, he left behind an incredible legacy through his musical career and charitable gifts, and a sizeable estate, reportedly worth £20 million.

After a near six decades in the spotlight, Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76, reportedly without leaving a Will. The Queen of Soul passed away at her home in Detroit on Thursday the 16th of August, after an on-going battle with pancreatic cancer.

Sir Bruce Forsyth sadly passed away on the 18th August 2017, leaving behind a truly remarkable legacy. Most famous for presenting Strictly Come Dancing, The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right, Bruce Forsyth was beloved and is now missed by many.

The majority of people know that they should have a Will, but a lot of people don’t know exactly what a Will is and how it works. The actual process of writing a Will is a relatively straightforward and inexpensive one. Yet despite this, the majority of people in the UK die without a Will in place.