As Christmas approaches and we begin to think of turkey and other delights, I am reminded of the case of Bernard Matthews, the British poultry producer, whose end-of-life wishes were defeated by French law. This high-profile case highlights the importance of taking care of every detail regarding your estate.

58% of adults don’t have a Will and have been putting off writing down their wishes for the time when they ‘get older’ so they don’t feel like they’re ‘tempting fate.’ If this sounds familiar to you, read on to find out why November may be the time to finally make a Will…

58% of UK adults don’t have a Will, according to new research.

The story starts with me heading north on the M6 one sunny Sunday afternoon in 2009. I was on my motorcycle going to meet a friend for a few days motorcycling around the Lakes. Then I was to meet my wife in Glasgow for a family re-union and a visit to Turnberry to see Tiger Woods in the British Open as a special birthday treat.

It seems that nowadays we can’t turn on the TV without coming across a programme about antiques, often featuring a treasured item that has been passed down through generations. The expert’s valuation may be minimal, but usually the current owner professes a great attachment to the item as being an important link to a departed relative. So whether or not our personal chattels have major monetary value, it can be important to use our Will to pass them on appropriately – but what is the best way to do it?

Although it can be risky, administering an estate is usually relatively straightforward to the experienced practitioner. Occasionally, though, some elements of a particular estate will test the mettle of the best. Nicholas Beetham looks at a recent “perfect storm” estate which, although demanding, presented no more than a welcome challenge to Kings Court, who administered it smoothly and without fuss.