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When Wills Fail. The Hidden Fortunes of Intestacy and Unclaimed Estates

24 October 2025

Every year in the UK, hundreds of millions of pounds in money and property slip…

Recent Posts

Make Life Easier for Your Executors!7 November 2025

Billions of pounds in bank accounts and investments go unclaimed each year because executors can’t find the information they need. Our guide explains what to keep with your will — so your estate reaches the right hands, not the government or the banks.

When Wills Fail. The Hidden Fortunes of Intestacy and Unclaimed Estates24 October 2025

Every year in the UK, hundreds of millions of pounds in money and property slip quietly into the hands of financial institutions and the Crown. Not because of fraud or wrongdoing, but because people die without valid wills, or because their heirs can’t be traced. This is the shadow side of intestacy, a system designed… Read more

Trust, Power, and Oversight: What Harold Shipman Taught Us About Professional Integrity15 October 2025

Few names in modern British history provoke as much horror and introspection as Harold Shipman. A respected GP in a quiet English town, he was also one of the most prolific serial killers in recorded history. His crimes didn’t just shock the public, they dismantled faith in professional self-regulation and forced every profession, from medicine… Read more

From Dreamvar to Digital ID: When Protection Becomes Control8 October 2025

Anyone who’s ever bought or sold a property has probably felt that twinge of frustration when their solicitor asks, yet again, for more ID. Proof of address. Proof of funds. Source of funds. Bank statements. Then, sometimes, the same all over again. It’s easy to wonder: why all the fuss? The answer lies in one… Read more

The Curtain Principle and Why Beneficiaries Need More Than Just a Form A29 September 2025

In English land law, the curtain principle is a cornerstone of the land registration system. It makes life simple for buyers but creates a challenge for beneficiaries who want to safeguard their interests. Let’s unpack how it works and why a standard Form A restriction is often not enough protection. The Curtain Principle – Hiding… Read more

Human Jobs Matter! AI and the Future of Human Work25 September 2025

In 2013, Oxford researchers Frey and Osborne warned that nearly half of jobs were at risk of automation. A decade later, the picture looks different: AI is reshaping tasks rather than replacing entire professions. With new studies like GAISI, we now know who’s most exposed — and why roles built on trust, creativity, and human connection, like estate planning, are here to stay.

Barnett v Bem: When Good Intentions Aren’t Enough22 September 2025

Barnett v Bem (2012) is a cautionary tale about how even the clearest intentions can fail if a will isn’t executed correctly. Mary Bem wanted her brother to inherit everything, but because the signing formalities weren’t strictly followed, the will was ruled invalid and her estate passed under intestacy instead.

How to Sign Your LPA the Right Way (and the Mistakes to Avoid)16 September 2025

Getting your LPA signed correctly is vital. Many LPAs are rejected by the Office of the Public Guardian because of simple errors in signing order, witnesses, or missing the life-sustaining treatment section. Our guide shows you the right process — and the common traps to avoid.

What Happens to Your Digital Assets When You Die?15 August 2025

Most of us live part of our lives online — from email and banking to photos, social media, and cryptocurrency. But what happens to those digital assets when we die? Without proper planning, they can be lost forever. This blog explores how to protect your digital legacy and ensure your loved ones aren’t locked out of your online world.

Not So Tax-Free: What Happens to CGT When You Put Your Home Into Trust7 August 2025

Thinking of putting your home into trust? You might lose your Capital Gains Tax exemption without realising it. This post explores how placing your property into a trust could cost you Principal Private Residence (PPR) relief — and how using the right trust structure, like a FLIT or Right to Occupy clause, can protect both your home and your tax position

Tag: Crown estates

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