As we shop, many of us collect loyalty points from various companies, and throughout a lifetime this can amount to a substantial value. However, many of these points will remain unclaimed.

Following a bereavement, there are a number of tasks that need to be completed, which can make an already difficult time even more stressful. The Executor (if there is a Will) or Administrator (if there is no Will) is responsible for administering the deceased’s estate as per the wishes in their Will. They should consider: Whether probate is needed What’s involved in the probate process Whether a probate Solicitor is required In this blog, we aim to answer these queries and alleviate confusion around the probate application process.

Life isn’t predictable nor does it happen in any specific order. Some people may get married at 21 or others at 60. Some may get divorced while others may have an opportunity to move to a new continent every few years. Whatever path we are led down in life, there is one thing that applies to us all – we will experience events that trigger the need to create and update a Will.

At Kings Court Trust, we deal with a variety of different estates and we are sometimes faced with complex intestacies when someone dies without a Will. In this blog post, we share two particularly complicated case studies where family tree research has been required to identify the entitled heirs, all of which could have been avoided by leaving a Will.

Death is not a subject that we like to consider or discuss, however, planning ahead is more important than ever to ensure your affairs are in order before your passing. Regardless of your age, wealth, health or status, planning for your future can guarantee your wishes are followed and ensure your loved ones get the full benefit of your legacy. Taking the necessary steps and precautions during your lifetime can also eliminate any unnecessary stress that your loved ones may face when administering your estate when the times comes.

In February 2020, the heartbreaking news broke that Caroline Flack, the popular TV and radio presenter, best known for presenting Love Island, sadly took her life at the age of 40.

As of September 2020, the Wills Act 1837 will be amended to allow the two Will witnesses to be virtually or physically present.

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.

The number of gifts left to charities in Wills each year is set to increase from 120,000 to 200,000 by 2045, reaching a value of £10 billion. This is due to various factors including increases in deaths, more individuals leaving behind Wills and a higher proportion of people leaving gifts in their Will, according to a report by Legacy Foresight.