The use of DNA testing to determine parentage has an important impact on determining entitlement under Wills, trusts and claims under the Inheritance Act 1975. In recent years it has been increasingly used to resolve estate disputes. In most cases it will be undertaken with the consent of the relevant parties.

A Midlands law firm has promoted seven solicitors across a variety of its legal teams as it continues to support the development of talent from within.

What are the key best practices to consider when setting up and maintaining a trust?

Update Your Will Week (3–9 March) highlights the importance of keeping your will up to date - ensuring your loved ones and chosen charities benefit as you intend. Legacy donations are vital for charities, and a well-structured will guarantees your wishes are fulfilled while offering potential tax benefits. If you haven’t reviewed your will in five years or after a major life event, now is the time.

Even before the Coronavirus outbreak, you may have wondered “Do I need a Will?” or “I’m too young to write a Will”. Although most people writing Wills in the UK are older than 50, you could write a Will from the age of 18.

In a recent case of ours, we were successful in applying to vary a joint lives maintenance order made almost 10 years ago, with payments covering the next few months being capitalised and there being a clean break of income claims. Bearing in mind our client could have continued having to make these monthly payments for the rest of his life this was an excellent result and got us thinking - is now the time to think about challenging the status quo and apply for joint lives orders to be varied?

Martin Oliver, Partner in our Contentious Probate team, answers the question; is contesting a will ever successful?

We review three farming-related proprietary estoppel cases that resulted in trial before a court in 2023 in order for the parties to achieve a resolution - albeit one imposed by the respective judges.

While trusts are often associated with inheritance planning, they are also an invaluable tool for managing wealth during your lifetime.

Getting – or being – divorced, or ending a civil partnership, is a timely reminder that your will is a living document that, without regular review, can quickly go out of date and give rise to many unintended consequences. If you have will and have left all, or even just some of, your assets to your spouse, that will remains valid throughout the process of divorcing even if you have separated and are living apart. This means that if you die, your spouse will receive whatever assets you have bequeathed them under the terms of your will.