Private Client Issues – December 2023

Welcome to this month’s edition of Private Client Issues, Blake Morgan’s monthly round-up of the topics you may find of interest. It features insight and advice on developments affecting private individuals.

Our teams work both from our offices and remotely and are happy to meet with you virtually, or in person where this is preferred. We have found that many clients prefer the convenience of a video meeting, whilst other prefer face to face, particularly for the first meeting.

Philanthropic giving in your Will

Leaving money to charity in your Will is a great way to make a positive impact, it is something that Chuck Feeney was a big proponent of. We look at key points to consider in this article.

Read more about charitable giving

The 2023 Autumn Statement – a missed opportunity for Inheritance Tax reform?

It was widely speculated in advance of this year’s Autumn Statement that there could be a reform to inheritance tax but that did not materialise. Was this omission a missed opportunity?

Read more about inheritance tax

Family law myths: the common law marriage

In a 2022 survey, almost half of the population in England and Wales wrongly believed that couples who lived together form a “common law marriage” and had certain rights.

Read more about common law marriage

Advice Hour with Blake Morgan Partner

Hot topics such as inheritance tax, powers of attorney and Wills were covered in Advice Hour on BBC Radio Wales by Lisa Davies. She shared wise words on future planning.

Read more about Lisa’s appearance

Blake Morgan named Private Client Team of the Year at prestigious awards

The Private Client team demonstrated outstanding performance in providing truly exceptional and bespoke legal advice to clients in relation to their private affairs to win the award.

Read more about the recognition

Can executors of an estate charge a fee?

We examine whether non-professional executors are allowed to reimburse and/or make a charge for their work in administering an estate.

Read more about administering estates

If you are impacted by any of the above topics or you would like further information on how we can help you, please contact your usual Blake Morgan adviser. You can also receive regular updates by following Blake Morgan on LinkedIn.

Season’s greetings

We would like to send you our warmest wishes for the festive season along with a happy New Year from all at Blake Morgan. Being the season of giving, each of our offices have supported the following charities in 2023:

• Cardiff: Young Lives vs Cancer
• London: British Heart Foundation
• Oxford: Dementia UK
• Reading: Launchpad
• South Coast: Solent Mind