Phillips Solicitors Blog
Practical guides from our solicitors on criminal defence, family law, conveyancing, and wills and probate.
Probate: A Guide for Executors
What Probate means, whether it is always needed, the information executors must gather and when to take advice. From our Mansfield probate team.
When Should You Update Your Will?
The life events that should prompt a Will review, why old Wills cause problems and how to change a Will safely with a codicil or a new Will.
A Practical Guide to Being an Executor or Administrator
The first steps after a death, dealing with beneficiaries and the personal responsibility executors and administrators carry. Practical guidance.
Letters of Administration: A Guide for Administrators
What Letters of Administration are, who can apply when there is no Will, the information needed and the responsibilities of an Administrator.
Lasting Powers of Attorney: Why They Matter
Why a Lasting Power of Attorney matters, the two types of LPA, choosing attorneys and why it pays to plan ahead while you have capacity.
How Long Does Probate Take and What Can Delay It?
Why Probate timescales vary, the common causes of delay and what executors and administrators can do to keep an estate moving.
Health and Welfare LPAs and Property and Financial Affairs LPAs: What Is the Difference?
The difference between a Property and Financial Affairs LPA and a Health and Welfare LPA, why many people make both and what to consider.
Choosing Executors: Practical Points to Consider
What makes a suitable executor, how many to appoint, family or professional, replacement executors and the common mistakes to avoid.
What Happens If Someone Loses Capacity Without a Lasting Power of Attorney?
What happens if someone loses mental capacity with no Lasting Power of Attorney in place, how Deputyship works and why an LPA is usually easier.
What Documents Do Executors and Administrators Need After a Death?
The documents executors and administrators usually need after a death, from the original Will and death certificates to asset and tax details.
Common Mistakes People Make When Preparing a Will
The common mistakes that cause problems with Wills, from unclear wording and signing errors to forgetting to review it and making changes yourself.
Storing Your Will Safely
Why the original Will matters, how to store it safely, why your executors should know where it is and why storage is not the only thing to think about.