What is an advance decision? An advance decision (sometimes known as an advance decision to refuse treatment, an ADRT or a living will) is a decision you can make now to refuse a specific type of treatment at some time in the future. An advanced decision lets your family, carers and health professionals know whether you want to refuse specific treatments … Read More
Kingsbridge Dementia Friendly Community
The Kingsbridge Dementia Friendly Community is a group of individuals who have been meeting for two years on a voluntary basis to raise awareness of dementia in Kingsbridge and the surrounding areas. The group adopted a constitution in July 2017 and is now an unincorporated charity. Rebecca Weare has volunteered to chair the group and Beccy Bristow has volunteered as … Read More
‘Face to face with online’
On the 13thJuly we set out the BBC report “The law around wills should be updated and brought into the “modern world”, the Law Commission for England and Wales has said” The question of Will making over the internet continues to roll on…… On the 7th August Ian Bond who is the chair of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee wrote … Read More
“Will law should be brought into modern world”
On the 13 July 2017, The BBC reported: “The law around wills should be updated and brought into the “modern world”, the Law Commission for England and Wales has said” The current rules were “unclear” and could be putting people off from making a will, it added. It is considering whether texts, emails and other electronic communications should be recognised as a … Read More
“Why Inheritance Tax changes are not good news for everyone”
On the 15 June 2017, The Times reported: “the new system will allow many families to pass on their home without paying a huge bill — but the system is complex and some will miss out” Changes to the inheritance tax system should bring down the bill for millions of families whose parents’ or grandparents’ estates have soared in value … Read More
Dementia Friends Champions
In April 2017 Rebecca & Beccy trained and qualified as Dementia Friends champions. Dementia Friends is a social action iniative run by The Alzheimer’s Society to promote five key messages about awareness and support for people living with dementia and their friends, families and carers. We have held several dementia friends information sessions in Kingsbridge and the local area … Read More
Reduction in Court fees for registering a Lasting Power of Attorney
Lasting Power of Attorney Court fees have just been reduced by 25% to encourage people to write one. Do you have Lasting Powers of Attorney in place? The Alzheimer’s Society predict that by 2021, one million people in the UK will be living with dementia. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing and it doesn’t just affect older people. … Read More
‘Dementia tax’ was added to the Conservative manifesto behind Cabinet ministers’ backs, say Tories
On the 22 May 2017, the Independent ran the following report: ‘Dementia tax’ was added to the Conservative manifesto behind Cabinet ministers’ backs, say Tories Two Cabinet ministers – Boris Johnson and Damian Green – refuse to say whether they were briefed The so-called “dementia tax” was added to the Conservative manifesto at the last minute behind the backs of … Read More
“Trying to avoid care home fees? Think twice, consumers told”
On the 15 April 2017, Michael Robinson of Moneybox on BBC Radio 4 ran the following report: “Trying to avoid care home fees? Think twice, consumers told” Care from the NHS is free, but if you need social care because you’re physically or mentally frail, you have to pay for it yourself. And it is not cheap. The latest figures … Read More
Response from the Ministry of Justice to the outcry following the announcement of the hike in the fees
On the 20 March 2017, the Law Gazette wrote that The Ministry of Justice has published further information regarding the interim arrangements for the probate service guidance on its plans to hike probate fees in the face of fierce criticism. The guidance, a question-and-answer style paper called ‘further information regarding interim arrangements for the probate service ahead of the new … Read More