The Solicitors Journal recently published an article which claimed that an increase in the number of people leaving charitable donations in their Wills is leading to a rise in the number of contested cases.

When making a Will, many people choose to use a DIY kit or online template for a variety of reasons. Research shows that 37% of us thought it would be cheaper than going through a solicitor, whilst others thought it would be quicker to do it ourselves or didn’t want a stranger knowing their business.

According to the Guardian, less than half of UK adults have drawn up a Will, which leaves more than 26 million people with no formal instructions on how their assets should be distributed after their death.

Recent statistics have highlighted that the UK is becoming more generous in the amounts they leave to charity. However, what may be surprising is that we are leaving more inheritance to animal charities than those that protect our children!

The BBC reports that Ali Bongo, the President of Gabon, is giving away his inheritance to set up a foundation for young people and their education. According to news sources, the political figure is set to give away the millions of dollars he is due to inherit from his father, who died in 2009. His father’s estate is yet to be distributed to the 53 declared heirs but his son has now announced that he will use the money to build an educational infrastructure in Gabon.

The summer Budget brought good news for those with wealth tied up in family homes as Chancellor George Osborne announced the introduction of an additional nil-rate band for a person’s main residence. However, some experts have criticised the announcement for being unnecessarily complicated and causing confusion amongst the public.

Recently published research suggests that over 33% of Brits are reliant on an inheritance windfall to secure their financial future. According to data from retirement specialists LV=, millions of UK citizens would be unable to maintain a stable income in their later life if it weren't for inheritance.

The revised Inheritance Tax (IHT) rules announced by Chancellor George Osborne during the summer’s Budget speech have appeared to cause widespread confusion across much of the public.

The Courier has recently published an article about a unique 272-year-old legacy left by Charles Cairnie, a Perth shoemaker.