Why understanding your pensions is crucial to your estate planning 31 March 2024 Pensions and estate planning may seem separate topics, but they are very much bound together so you know how much you need and how much to bequeath Read more
15 Top Questions About… LPAs 12 March 2024 The top 15 questions we get asked about creating and activating UK Lasting Powers of Attorneys for Health and Welfare, and Property and Finances. Read more
You CAN give it away: tax-free gifts 27 February 2024 Want to help the family out with a little cash this year? Your annual gift allowance enables you to gift money or valuables worth up to £3k, tax free. Read more
Business succession planning - keeping it in the family 13 February 2024 Want to pass on your business to the family? Why family business succession should be at the heart of your exit strategy AND your estate planning Read more
The cats (and dogs) that got the cream: provision for pets in wills 26 January 2024 Want to leave a bequest in your will so your pets are looked after? All about Pet Trusts and celebrity pets that "inherited" millions Read more
Inheritance Tax: the world's most unpopular tax? 10 January 2024 Inheritance tax is still a most unpopular tax, and there's plenty of talk about abolishing it. How might that affect your estate planning? Read more
Our top Panthera estate planning articles for 2023 03 January 2024 The top 2023 articles on estate planning and related issues from Panthera Estate Planning Read more
Where do you call home? Wills and non-dom status 14 December 2023 Your domicile is very important as it can affect who can inherit what from your will and the amount of IHT due on your estate. Here's our basic intro to domicility. Read more
How does the Autumn Budget impact on you? 23 November 2023 How might the Chancellor's Autumn Statement (Budget) affect you if you're already retired or planning to do so? Here's our short executive summary. Read more
What is estate planning? 21 November 2023 Understand exactly what estate planning all about could be as simple as sitting in your lounge and looking around at your stuff. Read more
Easier, simpler and more secure: new legislation for Lasting Power of Attorney (Updated Oct 2023) 30 October 2023 The Power of Attorney Bill aims to make creating a Lasting Power of Attorney easier, faster and more secure. We look at the details. Read more
Wills for free: good value or a false economy? (2023 edition) 10 October 2023 Is a free simple will a good will? Why simple wills are just that - simple - and why today's family legacies may require a more detailed will. Read more
Show me the money: selling your business and estate planning 30 September 2023 If you want to sell your business to fund your retirement, or pass it on as part of planned business succession, there are tax implications to consider. Read more
Why University students and graduates might need your help now, not later 19 September 2023 Many new first year students are struggling to make ends meet, and even graduates are finding it difficult. We explore how you can help them through estate planning Read more
How much can a spouse inherit? Changes to the rules of intestacy 25 August 2023 The intestacy statutory legacy (the amount of money any surviving spouse or civil partner and children can receive) has increased, as our article explains. Read more
Tales of the unexpected: succession planning for small business owners 08 August 2023 Who will take over and/or own your business when you retire? Why you should start thinking about business succession planning right now. Read more
How many Wills have you got? The Aretha Franklin court case 26 July 2023 Two wills, four sons, a niece and a five-year dispute. Why Aretha Franklin's two will caused confusion and was finally resolved in a court hearing Read more
Why long-term care planning is for now, not later 30 June 2023 Why building in provision for long-term care into your estate planning is important, both for you and your family Read more
Have that talk: estate planning for young adults 26 June 2023 Do you discuss estate planning with your teenage children? Discover why you need to have that talk, and what's the best time to start doing so. Read more
Not as simple as you might think: invoking an LPA 25 May 2023 How to invoke (switch on) a Lasting Power of Attorney, and why it's important to get certified copies and an online access code before you need them. Read more
Photo ID: not just for elections 19 May 2023 If you don't have valid photo ID, it can effectively lock you out of a range of essential services including estate planning and writing a will Read more
Our survey says: Big data on the 50+ age group 28 April 2023 How big data is providing insights into life expectancy, ageing and estate planning Read more
Why choose a Society of Will Writers professional to write your will 21 April 2023 The benefits of having your will written by a Member of The Society of Will Writers, such as our own Paul Hammond Read more
NI contributions pension extension; what it means for your estate planning 16 March 2023 How might the deadline to “plug the gaps” in a National Insurance record being extended impact on your estate planning? Read more
To my dear wife, I leave my phone: bequeathing your tech 28 February 2023 You can leave your tech to anyone in your will, but you can't bequeath all your data. That's where you'll need a legacy contact for your social and other accounts. Read more
Living trusts: why Priscilla Presley is contesting her daughter’s will 14 February 2023 When Elvis Presley died, his only daughter Lisa Marie inherited an estate worth $100million. Now her living trust is being contested by her mother. Why? Read more
Long-term care: why you might need to revise your cost estimates 17 January 2023 The cost of home care and residential care home fees have risen dramatically. Act now to revise your estate planning to allow for this and future cost rises. Read more
Our top Panthera articles to help you with your estate planning 09 January 2023 The top 12 articles from our online archives here at Panthera Estate Planning Read more
Nothing for the family: wills and unwelcome surprises 22 December 2022 Wills and surprises. How one family discovered a $1.2bn publishing fortune was left to the lover, plus very generous celebrity bequests to their pets. Read more
“We don’t want the money”: the surprising results of a new study into millennials and inheritance 29 November 2022 Do the older generation of millennial adult children all want to inherit? A new study discovers that a third are happy not to. Read more
What will your kids do with your legacy? Intergenerational wealth planning and the trust factor. 16 November 2022 Do you trust the next generation to make the best use of their inheritance from you? A new survey found that 25% of baby boomer parents don't! Read more
The Sunak factor: how might it impact your estate planning? 28 October 2022 The new Sunak era - how might it impact on your estate planning? We examine what's been suggested so far. Read more
Estate planning and mini budgets 04 October 2022 How has the recent mini-budget and subsequent market movements affected your estate planning? It's a good time to review your plans to check they are on track. Read more
Royal estate planning and succession 30 September 2022 What will members of the Royal family inherit under the late Queen's will? While the contents will remain secret, we do know what cannot be inherited Read more
Who’s cashing in, and who is cut out: celebrity wills and the family 25 August 2022 Celebrity wealth and wills; how famous names divided their estate in their wills, and the legal battles and family disputes when some died intestate Read more
Interesting times: rising interest rates and your estate planning 15 August 2022 With interest rates on the rise, it's a good time to take a look at your estate planning to see if it's working for you as it should Read more
Looking after No1: gifts, long-term care and inheritance tax 31 July 2022 How to look after your own interests in your estate planning, including tax-efficient gifts, long-term care funding and inheritance tax Read more
Taking care of your pets in your will 20 July 2022 Have you made provision for your pets in your will? We explore how 44% of UK pet owners say they intend to do so, and why setting up a pet Trust Read more
Writing or Updating a Will [UPDATED June 2022] 30 June 2022 Have you made a will? If yes, great, but when did you last update it? Wills are living documents - they need to reflect changes in your life and circumstances Read more
Hide and seek: Record keeping and probate 30 May 2022 Made a will? Excellent. Included a list of how to access your financial records for your executor? No? Discover what details they will need after your death. Read more
Providing for your kids: blended families and wills 10 May 2022 Estate planning for blended families, including why you must make a new will if you marry for a second time. Read more
Non-dom status: how it affects IHT and who can benefit from your estate 29 April 2022 How your non-dom status can affect who can benefit from your will, and their IHT tax bill. Read more
Trust registration: the deadline approaches 25 April 2022 Does your estate planning include a Trust or two? You probably need to register your Trusts by 1 September 2022. Read more
No-fault divorce and estate planning 29 March 2022 Divorce and bloodline planning: how the no-fault divorce process might impact on your estate and bloodline planning Read more
Holding onto your inheritance: post-nups for the over 50s 15 March 2022 Why a post-nuptial agreement (post-nup) could help seniors and retirees protect their own bloodline inheritance should they divorce. Read more
Long-term care in 2022: what the government has got planned 28 February 2022 How the government's Build Back Better plan for health and social care will affect your long-term care planning. Read more
Contesting a will: how to nail down your wishes 14 February 2022 Is your will watertight? With more and more will being contested, here are some tips on nailing down your wishes in writing Read more
Leaving a legacy or living a legacy? 26 January 2022 Are you leaving a legacy or living a legacy? When it comes to making a difference, it's not all about the money, as Paul's blog explains. Read more
Inheritance tax: who pays most and how to plan so your heirs pay as little as possible 13 January 2022 Inheritance tax facts: in what areas of the UK beneficiaries pay most, and what you can do to ensure your heirs are not one of them! Read more
Trusting in education: helping out with future school fees 05 January 2022 Looking to help out children and grandchildren with private school fees? Why now is a good time to act to fund their education. Read more
Keeping control after your death: Trusts and your Will 08 December 2021 Want to make sure your loved ones get what you stipulate in your Will? We discuss Bare Trusts, Discretionary Trusts and how to have control beyond the grave. Read more
Intergenerational wealth transfer: securing your family’s financial future 30 November 2021 Concerned about passing on your estate and assets to your children and grandchildren? A brief guide to intergenerational wealth transfer. Read more
New plans for a new life phase: estate planning after bereavement 16 November 2021 Why estate planning - including writing a new will - is so important for those who have lost their spouse or partner. Read more
Digital assets, NFTs and the importance of keeping secure records 28 October 2021 Confused about how to pass on your digital assets and cryptocurrency to the next generation? We look at the brave new world of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Read more
Looking after No1: estate planning for single people 20 September 2021 Fed up with financial planning advice that assumes everyone is part of a couple? Discover why estate planning is crucial if you're single or non-married. Read more
Changes and updates: Lasting Power of Attorney amendments 10 September 2021 Need to change or update one or both of your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? Make sure you do it right, or you can invalidate it! Read more
Long-term care: why you need to plan now 10 August 2021 If you retire at 65, you may have 30+ years of retirement to enjoy, but not all of that will be in good health. That's why long-term care planning is important. Read more
Ageing Europe - the stats 30 July 2021 Ageing in Europe, retirement, life expectancy and business succession: how stats from a new EU report should influence your estate planning. Read more
Love and marriage: wills and estate planning for LGBT couples 29 June 2021 Do LGBT+ couples need to make a will? Yes, especially if you are not married or in a civil partnership, as cohabiting is not a legal status. Read more
Heirlooms and history: why bloodline planning is important 10 June 2021 Bloodline planning: how to ensure the right people inherit the family heirlooms, assets and properties. Read more
6 top tips for successful estate planning 26 May 2021 Kickstart your estate planning with six top tips including updating wills, creating LPAs and reducing Inheritance Tax. Read more
Life insurance and Trusts: protection for your family when you’re no longer there 11 May 2021 Why putting a life insurance policy under trust can provides greater certainty around who benefits, and ensure faster payments Read more
5 things to consider if you’re a silver separator 05 May 2021 As Bill and Melinda Gates announce they are to divorce, what are the five important estate planning issues they should consider as silver separators? Read more
10 ways to protect your estate for your loved ones and reduce your IHT bill 30 March 2021 10 top tips to reduce your IHT bill with transfers, gifts, trusts and insurance. Protect your estate for your loved ones after you are gone. Read more
Helping the next generation start out in business 11 March 2021 Want to help younger generation of your family? Give them the gift of your business experience and their first job. Read more
Should equity release always be a last resort? 28 February 2021 Equity release: how a lifetime mortgage with flexible drawdown could help release cash from your home to pay for long term home care Read more
Just the two of us: estate planning for both of you 09 February 2021 Aged 65 or over and no children? Why your estate planning should include long-term provision for both of you. Read more
Being an attorney in the time of COVID 25 January 2021 Appointed attorney named on a person's LPA? Your responsibilities are the same during pandemic restrictions - find out more in this LPA attorney article. Read more
Long-term care: financial assessment and future planning 12 January 2021 Why making provision now for your long term care (LTC), whether residential or home care, should be part of your estate planning strategy for 2021. Read more
Falling asset values: why it’s important to think long-term 11 December 2020 Investment and pension values fallen in 2020? You might need to revise your will and IHT planning. Call us to review your overall estate planning. Read more
Protecting against the worst: business LPAs and vaccines 25 November 2020 How a Business Legal Power of Attorney (LPA) can work like like a vaccine, protecting your business if you fall ill or become incapacitated Read more
Lockdown 2.0: Helping the next generation now 10 November 2020 "Right now" estate planning for Lockdown 2.0 - how to help bring your legacy forward to help support the family during your lifetime Read more
Registering a Trust: new rules on their way 27 October 2020 Are you a Trustee? You'll need to make sure your Trust is registered with HMRC by 2022. We've all the details in our latest article. Read more
Why a free Will may not be such a bargain And a simple Will may not be sufficient for your wishes 13 October 2020 Free Wills Month offers anyone over 55 a free Will writing service, but is a simple Will sufficient for your estate? Read more
Complex Inheritance Tax Rules leaves families exposed 07 October 2020 Executor inexperience leads to a massive rise in the number of cases investigated by HMRC having to pay additional death duties. Read more about why this may be. Read more
Inheritance tax: don’t pay more than you need to Safeguarding more of what is rightfully yours for future generations 29 September 2020 Our guide to Inheritance Tax (IHT), the value of your estate, nil-band rates and how to reduce IHT liability for your heirs on your death Read more
Care in later life 23 September 2020 One of the biggest challenges of the 21st century is Britain’s ageing population. As later-life care becomes more prevalent, whether you are considering this for yourself or a relative, covering the costs involved can be significant. Read our article to help your thought process. Read more
Marriage after Death 16 September 2020 What happens if your partner re-marries after your death? You may find that their new partner inherits your legacy and your children are disinherited! Watch our short video explaining what may happen. Read more
Who, what, when: the cornerstones of your updated will 11 September 2020 Who, what, when? Three crucial questions that can help you update your will to protect your legacy for those you want to receive it. Panthera Estate Planning. Read more
Why use a Professional Trustee? 02 September 2020 The role of a Trustee can be extremely daunting for an untrained person and often decisions will be made which may not be completely in the the interest of the Beneficiaries. Read more
Financial gifts, IHT and the seven year rule 25 August 2020 Want to help the family with a financial gift? How to ensure it's not got a big tax bill sting in the tail if you die within seven years. Read more
What happens to your home when you die? 19 August 2020 What happens to your home depends on how you and your partner own it! Read our short article to get to grips with the basics you need to know. Read more
Business LPAs: why every business owner should have one 11 August 2020 Why every business owner and solo company Director should have a business LPA in place, just in case. Call us to set yours up. Panthera Estate Planning UK Read more
It's Time for change 05 August 2020 The OPG has updated their online system to improve the processing for LPA's. Find out how this works and what it means to you. Read more
Can I write my own will? 28 July 2020 A DIY will could cost your family dearly. Here's why a professional will writer can make your wishes clear AND save your family a lot of stress Read more
Protecting vulnerable family members 22 July 2020 Why is it not ideal simply to just leave money to vulnerable people in your Will? Read our short guide. Read more
Bloodline planning: keeping it in the family 14 July 2020 Who do you want to inherit what from your estate? Bloodline planning can ensure valuable and historic assets are kept in the immediate family. Read more
Don't gamble with your children's future 08 July 2020 Parental Guardianship is vital in guaranteeing the safety and security of a child's future. Why? Read more
Why you need business succession planning 01 July 2020 Have you thought about what happens to your business when you're no longer around? A short video on business succession planning. Read more
Why it’s important to choose the right executor for your will 23 June 2020 How to choose and appoint executors for your Will, and ensuring you choose the right person to take financial responsibility for your estate Read more
Why just writing a Will may not be enough 17 June 2020 One in four people would mount a legal challenge against a loved one’s Will. Watch our short video to find out how creating a Will Clarity statement can help protect your wishes. Read more
What is an LPA and why do I need one? 09 June 2020 Why you should make your lasting Powers of Attorney now regardless of your age, and how Panthera Estate Planning can help. Read more
Why you need a Trust 03 June 2020 Many of you will understand what a Trust is, but not how having the right Trust in place can benefit you and your loved ones. Read our article to understand the basics. Read more
What happens when this happens ... is your Will ‘Divorce-Proof’? 01 June 2020 The harsh reality of modern life means that marriage isn’t always forever. Sadly in the UK 42% of marriages end in divorce. You may have already planned who your beneficiaries will be, thinking your children will eventually inherit your assets, but this might not actually go to plan... Read more
Interesting times: why you should update your Will 27 May 2020 Why you should update your Will regularly especially if you plan to remarry. Book your free Will Review with Panthera Estate Planning Read more
The Importance of parental guardianship 26 May 2020 In the event of the death of both parents, if you have you do not have a Will with an appointed Guardian, the future of your minor children will be left in the hands of the Family Courts... Read more
Need to apply for probate? Get in line! 24 May 2020 Many people are in the dark about the probate process because they have never been in contact with it before and so don’t understand exactly what it entails, here's some help Read more
Not choosing a Professional Trustee could mean that your intended Beneficiaries lose out! 22 May 2020 Trustees play an important role in the management of Trust assets and can be held personally liable for any losses made by the Trust if they don’t carry out their duties properly. Read more
Belt and Braces for Power of Attorney 20 May 2020 More and more people are looking to set up Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) with the threat of Covid-19 being ever present. Read our blog to find out options to be able to act NOW. Read more