As from Monday anyone that attends court in England will have to wear a face mask. This is welcome news for many lawyers and directly contradicts what the Government said just over a week ago with regards to the public not being required to wear masks in court buildings. With regards to what happens inside the courtroom itself, this will be left to the individual judge but social distancing rules will be observed and it is likely that masks may be removed when evidence is being presented and when people are speaking in court. This will ensure that the safety of the court and tribunal users remains paramount. Again, We do not know how long these changes are for but they illustrate how Covid has changed the way in which the law in this country is being administered.

When someone close to you dies the difficulties you face can be unbearable. The last thing a lot of people want to get involved in is sorting out their loved one’s estate. It is then that one that starts searching for legal advice as they often prefer to instruct an expert to deal with obtaining probate. The Steps of Probate How much probate costs in instructing a solicitor depends on what level of service you require. You need to ascertain if the deceased has left a will. You may find this strange but no more than 40% of people in the UK are said to have made one. You can check if a will exists by contacting family and friends and the will registry and/or the deceased’s previous solicitors or bank. If there is no will this means the deceased died intestate. The next of kin can apply for the grant usually through solicitors. If there is a will then the executor can consult a solicitor to apply for the grant of probate. It is the grant of probate that gives them the legal right to access financial accounts etc. The reason why executors normally appoint a solicitor is because there are complex forms involved that requires submission to both the probate registry and HMRC. These forms must be completely accurately, and they need to include things like whether the deceased made lifetime gifts. If there are errors in completion, then the executor can be held personally liable. If the estate is less than £5000 then probate is not always required but always check with a professional first. You can instruct a solicitor to apply for the grant on your behalf and once that is obtained you may choose to do the rest yourself. It is an SRA requirement for solicitors to be transparent on probate fees and fees should be displayed on a solicitor’s website. After obtaining the grant you will need to administer the estate in accordance with the wishes of the will. If you do this without a solicitors help and if a beneficiary is omitted then once again you are personally liable. You have nothing to lose in speaking to a solicitor especially if the initial consultation is free. Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions.

You may think dealing with an estate of a loved one or a friend is easy but as an executor or administrator you need to think carefully before you decide to deal with things yourself. Hiring the right solicitor will allow you to avoid personal liability, prevent you from spending hours of your time dealing with something you may not understand, and it will ensure that no time is wasted. Here are a few questions that you need to consider before you decide how to proceed: Can you identify which assets pass outside the well? Can you identify which assets pass without proof of title? Are you able to assess the outstanding debts of the estate yourself? Can you ascertain what the assets are yourself? Do you have the time and expertise to trawl through previous tax returns and complete required tax returns if necessary? Can you identify from bank statements if lifetime gifts were made and if they were made are you able to ensure that any associated taxes are paid? When looking at a will are you able to understand what would happen if any of the legacies fail? Are you able to dispose of assets in accordance with the will and have you exercised due diligence in the tracing of all potential beneficiaries to avoid your personal liability? These are only a few of the questions that you need to ask yourself and apply to even the simplest of estates. Consult the experts. It will cost you nothing to start with and then you can make an informed decision.

For all those people out there who think they are too young to make a Will, then you might find this article particularly interesting. Wills help you protect your loved ones in ensuring that they are safe and cared for both financially and otherwise. That is probably why so many people have decided to use any extra time they have during lockdown to sort out their affairs: https://www.todayswillsandprobate.co.uk/main-news/a-reminder-of-the-importance-of-appointing-a-parental-guardian/?fbclid=IwAR1i1O2ig9fIhHNG9tX0WIw9HLyL1JboNHsJ0EkuRuwJkQel5ISnRJ7bvmk

MDW Solicitors is delighted to be celebrating our first birthday. After 27 years of qualification, it has certainly been a year to remember. Leaving the security of paid employment as a director of a multi office firm and setting up your own firm was probably as sensible as jumping off a cliff but someone wise once said if you do not jump then you will be safe but you will never soar. So soaring we did and we have not looked back since. Thank you all for your support and instructions over the last year and here's to building our future.