Before the digital era, sentimental memories consisted of printed photographs, photo albums, postcards, scrapbooks, and certificates. Due to their tangible nature, these were easily retrievable by the loved ones of someone who had passed away. Fast-forward to today’s modern world where digital technology has become an integral part of our personal lives, people have now opted to store their sentimental memories online, for example, photos on social media and videos on cloud storage. Unfortunately, many do not consider what will happen to these digital assets upon death; accessing sentimental memories online can be a difficult task for loved ones to navigate without prior digital legacy planning.

Due to more dynamic family structures and individuals increasingly owning more assets than ever before, it may not come as a surprise that inheritance disputes have been on the rise in recent years. Between 2023 and 2024, there was a 5% rise in court claims related to contested Wills with over 10,000 cases now reported each year. This blog looks at some common causes for inheritance disputes, what can be done to resolve them, and how to avoid them altogether.

We understand that the task of administering someone’s estate after their passing can be a confusing and complicated process, especially whilst dealing with the death of a loved one or friend. Being given this responsibility is often a testament to the trust and close relationship you may have had with someone who’s passed away. It’s often viewed as somewhat of an honour to be involved in organising the affairs of those who have departed and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here at Kings Court Trust, we understand that you may not have prior knowledge of what estate administration is, but also, the many technical terms it involves, until you are required to start the process yourself. We strive to make this time as simple, pain-free, and easy as possible for anybody embarking on this journey. That’s why everything we do has the wellbeing of our clients at its very core. With that in mind, we have created a jargon-busting glossary of terms to explain the ins and outs of estate administration as clearly as possible for you.

Losing a loved one is an emotionally challenging experience, and for many families in the UK, this is compounded by delays in the probate process. In 2024, Personal Representatives (PR) are increasingly facing extended waiting periods to distribute estates, which has brought new financial and emotional stress. Here’s what you need to know if you find yourself dealing with estate administration and probate this year.

Probate is the process of obtaining a Grant of Probate, which is the legal document that an Executor may have to obtain in order to administer the estate of someone who has passed away. Many people choose to instruct a professional to apply for probate on their behalf, as it involves complicated processes, a lot of paperwork, and legal knowledge.

A Grant of Representation is a legal document obtained from the Probate Registry in England and Wales. It gives a person(s) the authority to administer the estate and assets of someone who has passed away. Whoever is named on the document is usually someone who was close to and trusted by the person who has died, as it proves they have been entrusted with the responsibility to handle the deceased person’s affairs.

Many adults in the UK do not have a valid Will. They may have a Letter of Wishes or documented their requests in other ways, but a Will must be formally witnessed and signed in order to make it legally valid. Whilst you can make a Will yourself, it is strongly advised you discuss your circumstances with a professional to ensure you are considering all your needs. Additionally, a professional Will Writer will have the facilities to store your Will securely, which ensures that it is easily accessible upon your death.

In the UK, the Executor of a Willis responsible for managing the estate of a deceased person, paying any debts and taxes, and distributing the remaining assets according to the terms of the Will. The specific duties of an Executor may include:

A step that often causes family members additional stress and anxiety when someone dies is locating the deceased’s important documents. This includes the Will, which details the Testator’s wishes regarding how they want their estate to be distributed. Unfortunately, locating a Will and other important documents can sometimes be a difficult and time-consuming process for loved ones coming to terms with a death. This blog answers frequently asked questions about locating the Will to help you navigate this stressful time. The blog explores how to find a Will, what happens if you can’t find a Will, and the benefits of storing estate planning documents with a professional storage provider.