All posts in Private Wealth

Bank Discovery May Trigger Will Disputes

17th March 2020 by Healys

It has come to light that Lloyds Bank has discovered some 9,000 wills which had been stored with it under a ‘safe custody’ service that was closed to new business in 2011. Continue reading →

17th March 2020 Healys 0 Comments Insights, Private client blog posts, Private Wealth

Close up of elderly couple holding hands

Why You Should Always Hire a Lawyer to Put Final Wishes into Writing

20th February 2020 by Healys

Informally agreeing with your loved ones what is to happen to your assets after you are gone may not be the best practice. You may not have considered all eventualities, and disputes can arise as to what has or has not been promised. A bitter property dispute between a man and his stepmother proved this. Continue reading →

20th February 2020 Healys 0 Comments Insights, Private Wealth

close up of calculator and pen on top of a piece of paper

Failing to Keep Accurate Accounts Raises Concern for Tax Authorities

7th February 2020 by Healys

Failing to take professional advice and keep accurate accounts makes you more liable to face repercussions from HM Revenue and Customs. In a case on point, an international businessman who claimed to keep details of his income and expenditure ‘in his brain’ was landed with a £40,000 tax bill. Continue reading →

7th February 2020 Healys 0 Comments Insights, Private Wealth, tax

Man holding money and crossing fingers behind his back

Teacher Who Stole Elderly Mother’s Savings Fined

27th January 2020 by Healys

Elderly people may have little choice but to rely on their loved ones to manage their finances. However, that trust may be taken advantage of. In one case, a retired teacher was heavily fined for making unauthorised withdrawals from the joint building society account he held with his frail mother. Continue reading →

27th January 2020 Healys 0 Comments Insights, Private Wealth

last will and testament papers with glasses and pen resting above

Don’t Wait Too Long To Make A Will

28th November 2019 by Healys

The older you are when you make or change your will, the greater the risk that your loved ones will become embroiled in dispute after you are gone. The point was proved by a case in which the onset of dementia very nearly thwarted a retired nurse’s wish to divide her estate equally between her four children. Continue reading →

28th November 2019 Healys 0 Comments contentious probate insights, Insights, Private client blog posts, Private Wealth

last will and testament document, with a pen and glasses resting on top

Widow Pays for Delay in Seeking Provision From Her Husband’s Estate

6th September 2019 by Healys

If you feel that you have suffered a wrong of any kind, a delay in taking legal action can put paid to your chances of obtaining justice. A widow who was left nothing in her deceased husband’s will found that out to her cost when her hopes of obtaining reasonable financial provision from his estate were dashed. Continue reading →

6th September 2019 Healys 0 Comments Insights, Private client blog posts, Private Wealth

Breach Of Trust Brings Jail For Fraudulent Trustee

27th June 2019 by Healys

Yet another sad case reported recently shows the wisdom of appointing only those who are absolutely trustworthy and/or insured professionals as trustees over your assets. Continue reading →

27th June 2019 Healys 0 Comments Private Wealth

last will and testament documents with glasses and a pen resting on top

Half Of Estate Value Goes In Fees When Will Lost And Family In Dispute

13th May 2019 by Healys

When a person is appointed executor of an estate, they are given a reasonable period to progress the estate administration but cannot procrastinate without adverse consequences being likely. Continue reading →

13th May 2019 Healys 0 Comments Private Wealth

Share Sale Tax Avoidance Scheme Fails The Reality Test

16th April 2019 by Healys

Judges interpret tax statutes in the real world and are experienced at looking beyond the detailed provisions of intricate transactions to discern their actual purpose. In a case in point, the Court of Appeal found that Capital Gains Tax (CGT) was payable on the sale of shares in a listed company for £14.3 million. Continue reading →

16th April 2019 Healys 0 Comments Private Wealth

image of a last will and testament document with glasses and a pen resting on top

Wife Who Assisted Sick Husband’s Trip To Dignitas Can Inherit His Estate

8th April 2019 by Healys

A woman who reluctantly assisted her gravely ill husband in travelling to Switzerland where his life was ended by Dignitas will nevertheless inherit his estate, after a judge ruled that many people would have done the same for a loved one. Continue reading →

8th April 2019 Healys 0 Comments Private client blog posts, Private Wealth