Wrigley Claydon Solicitors

Category: Trusts, Wills & Probate

  • Government considers how wills should be signed in light of the COVID-19 situation

    The Government is currently considering whether the rules on how wills should be signed can be relaxed, particularly in light of the COVID-19 situation. Currently a will is only valid if it is signed in the presence of two independent witnesses who then also sign the will in the presence of the testator.

     

    These rules date back to the 1837 Wills Act but do protect the elderly and vulnerable from undue influence and fraud.

     

    The current situation with COVID-19 does make will signing more tricky, but not impossible. For someone isolating the witnesses can view the signing from a window and then the will passed outside for signing. All parties need to be present together, but this can be at a socially acceptable distance in an open space as long as they have a clear view.

     

    At Wrigley Claydon we are working remotely and using technology to take will instructions, preparing wills for signature at home and providing advice and instructions to ensure the will is signed correctly and is valid.

     

    If you would like more information about preparing a will at this time, please contact our team on 0161 624 6811 or email rld@wrigleyclaydon.com

  • Update on Probate applications in light of COVID-19 restrictions

    Update on Probate applications in light of COVID-19 restrictions

    HM Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) has announced that in light of COVID-19 restrictions, some of their rules have been relaxed in relation to Probate applications. The changes are temporary but are designed to ensure that applications for Probate can continue and can be processed as swiftly as possible even though many of their staff are working remotely.

     

    Statements of Truth rather than affidavits that need to be sworn in front of a solicitor/ commissioner for oath are to be accepted in most circumstances. Electronic signatures can now also be accepted for some documents and on line applications are being encouraged generally.

     

    If you need a Grant of Probate and need further information, please contact a member of our team on 0161 624 6811 or email rld@wrigleyclaydon.com We are working remotely using technology to continue working and will be happy to assist you at this time.

  • “Jack’s Law” Paid bereavement leave for Parents who suffer the loss of a child under 18

    The UK is about to be the first country in the world to allow parents who suffer the loss of a child under the age of 18 years, to take paid bereavement leave.

    Following a campaign by Lucy Hurd “Jack’s law” will be introduced from April.

    Lucy’s son Jack died aged just 23 months when he drowned in a pond. Jack’s father was entitled to only three days off work to grieve, one of these being the day of the funeral. Lucy recognised that in the aftermath of the death of a child the parents not only have to cope with their own grief but also that of siblings and the wider family. A sudden death may involve a post-mortem or inquest. Parents will now be entitled to take two weeks paid leave from work. It is hoped this will help 10,000 families a year in the UK.

     

    If you need help and legal advice following a bereavement or a difficult employment issue please contact Wrigley Claydon Probate solicitor Rachel Damianou on telephone (0161) 624 6811 option 3/email rld@WrigleyClaydon.com  and our employment solicitor John Porter  can be contacted on telephone (0161) 624 6811 option 4/email jap@WrigleyClaydon.com

  • Cryptocurrency owners – have you made a will?

    Crypto currency is a type of money which is completely virtual, like an on the line version of cash which exists digitally. While some experts argue crypto currency is a risky and volatile investment, it continues to grow in popularity. Crypto currency is one of those odd things which is very private for a lot of people. There are more and more cases of when the family of a person who has died believe they owned Bitcoin but did not have the information to access it following their death. The very nature of the investment means there is often little evidence or information available following a death. This can also happen with online bank accounts.

     

    Making a will with a professional organisation such as a solicitor means that mention can be made at the time of making the will of these otherwise hidden assets. Whilst a solicitor need not necessarily be given access to the assets or passwords, mention can be made of where those passwords can be found, what assets need to be addressed following a death and who has information about them. A professional organisation such as a solicitor has a duty of care and confidentiality to their client so it should be a safe way to ensure privacy but also access following death to assets that might otherwise be lost or forgotten on death.

     

    For more information on making a will please contact our wills and probate Department on (0161) 624 6811 option 3 or email rld@wrigleyclaydon.com

  • Wrigley Claydon’s Top Resolutions for 2020

    As we say goodbye to 2019 and welcome in 2020, now is the time to make some changes and make New Year’s Resolutions

    Here are Wrigley Claydon’s Top Resolutions for 2020:

    Make a Will

    Quite worryingly nearly two thirds of adults in the UK do not have an up-to-date Will. By making a Will, you can choose to whom you want to leave your estate, as well as appointing guardians to look after any young children should you die whilst they are under 18. By planning ahead, you can ensure that you do not cause unnecessary difficulties for your loved ones. Without a Will, the law decides who will be entitled to a share of your estate, so ensure that 2020 is the year you get your affairs in order.

    Put in Place a Lasting Power of Attorney

    A Lasting Power of Attorney is a legal document, granting to a named person or persons authority to act on your behalf even if you become mentally incapable. It is unpleasant to contemplate that you may ever lose the ability to manage your own affairs. However, by signing an LPA, you can ensure that if this should ever happen, your affairs will be looked after by someone you have personally chosen who you trust.

    Resolve your Disputes

    Start the year by resolving any disputes you may be involved in, be they with family, another individual or a commercial organisation. If you need to take a legal route, Wrigley Claydon can competently and systematically deal with the considerable paper work and procedural issues within the dispute resolution process. Whilst doing this, we will do all we can to find ways to strengthen the case and resolve the issue as quickly as possible.

    Business Owners – Get Up To Date!

    Make sure that your paperwork, such as employee contracts are up to date. A review of your contracts, policies and procedures may seem arduous, but it really does pay for itself in the long run. We regularly advise businesses on recruitment policies and as your employment solicitor will assist with the preparation of contracts of employment, preventing problems that may otherwise arise.

    Make a Change for the Future

    Now could be the perfect time to let us help you make some important changes to your life. We can help you re-establish contact with your children with our experienced Family Solicitors. It’s important a child has two parents, when this bond has been broken we can help you take the right approach in becoming a part of their lives once again.

    Buy Your Dream Home

    Is 2020 the year that you will be able to buy your dream family home? Let our conveyancing department handle the transaction. We are panel solicitors for all of the principal banks/building societies which means that we can represent both you and your lender, usually at no extra cost to you and with a saving in time.

    A very Happy New Year from all of us at Wrigley Claydon and here’s to a successful 2020.

    www.wrigleyclaydon.com   info@wrigleyclaydon.com

    Manchester – 0161 914 9881   |   Oldham – 0161 624 6811   |   Todmorden – 01706 815712

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  • Dr Kershaw’s Will Week

    Dr Kershaw’s Will Week

    Next week, between 25th and the 30th of November we are taking part in Dr Kershaw’s Will Week.

    Where in return for a donation to the hospice (£100 per single will, £150 for mirror wills) we will provide clients with a free will.

    Simply call us on 0161 624 6811 and book an appointment for next week.

  • Charity at Christmas

    At this time of year, our thoughts are focused on gifts for our nearest and dearest. We will also hear requests from Charities asking us to include them in our Christmas list and to make a donation to them.
    One way to do this and at the same time get our own affairs in order ready for the New Year, is to make a Will under one of the Charity Schemes available and leave a gift to the Charity under our Will, the Charity then covering the cost of the Will.

    It is important to make a Will because your Will tells everyone what should happen to your money, possessions and other property after you die. If you don’t make a will the law decides how your estate is passed on and this might mean some people benefiting that you do not wish to do so and other important people missing out. It also makes it easier for your family and friends to sort everything out when the times comes.
    A Will is especially important if you have children or other family who depend on you financially or if you want to leave gifts to people outside your family or to Charity.

    Wrigley Claydon are members of the Free Will Scheme with Cancer Research UK. The only condition for making a Will under this Scheme is that you are aged 18 or over and consider pledging a gift in your Will to Cancer Research UK to help fight this battle against cancer. Cancer Research UK will then in return pay for the cost of your Will.

    If you would like to discuss making a Will or find out more information about the free Will Scheme the team at Wrigley Claydon will be happy to help. Please call Rachel Damianou or Jyoti Patel on (0161) 624 6811 option 3.

  • Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019

    Baby Loss Awareness Week 2019

    Each year, the 09th to 15th October marks Baby Loss Awareness Week, which gives bereaved parents, family and friends the opportunity to unite to remember their babies’ lives. It also aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss as well as promoting improvements in care and support for those so affected, and reducing preventable deaths.

     

    The campaign confirms that the care that bereaved families receive from health and other professionals can have long-lasting effects, but unfortunately, the standard of care in the UK varies between regions meaning that some parents and families do not receive the quality of bereavement care that is essential to them following pregnancy or baby loss.

     

    The campaign is led by Sands, a stillbirth and neonatal death charity, which aims to reduce death figures and improve bereavement care. Sands works in alliance with Bliss, The Lullaby Trust, The Miscarriage Association, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and Tommy’s as well as a vast range of other charitable organisations who are committed to achieving these aims. Details of the charities involved can be found at https://babyloss-awareness.org/organisations.

     

    If you are thinking of leaving a gift to a charity in your Will, the Wills and Probate team at Wrigley Claydon will be happy to help. We offer a free initial consultation. Please call Rachel Damianou or Jyoti Patel at our Oldham office on 0161 624 6811 option 3, or Emma Piszkalo at our Todmorden office on 01706 815712.

  • My Doctor has suggested I need a Lasting Power of Attorney. Why might this be?

    A Power of Attorney is a document in which you can nominate someone to help you to make decisions about your future finances of your Health and Welfare if you have difficulty in making decisions yourself. It is meant to be a tool to help you and not take control from you and it is always advisable to have one in place in readiness for the future. It is like an Insurance Policy valuable if needed and a good investment even if not.

    For further information or to discuss any concerns you may have relating to Powers of Attorney, please call on 0161 624 6811 (Option 3).

    Team: Rachel Damianou, Emma Piszkalo and Jyoti Patel.

  • Probate centre cuts and closures

    Probate centre cuts and closures

    The government has begun work on closing down regional Probate Registries and moving the service under one roof. The first centre to close will be Birmingham at the end of August. Questions are being asked as to why probate services are being cut when the government has plans to increase probate fees. Ministers insist the new service will improve through bringing together shared expertise ultimately at the Courts and Tribunal Service Centre in Birmingham.

     

    However, for many people this will raise concerns with the removal of the face to face service. Probate can be applied for on line but for many people, at this already stressful time, the ability to speak to someone in person, is really important.

     

    If you are dealing with probate and need help and guidance, the wills and probate team at Wrigley Claydon will be happy to help. We offer a free initial consultation. Please call Rachel Damianou or Jyoti Patel on (0161) 624 6811 (option 3).