Author Page

Shivani Pabari

What is the difference between a Will and LPAs?

A Will is a document that allows you to decide what happens to your estate when you die. It usually appoints someone you trust to be able to manage your estate and affairs on your death. It

What if I don’t know if a loved one left a Will?

When a loved one dies, it is often difficult to find information relating to their estate, any assets they may have held, and whether they prepared a Will during their lifetime. Our expert solicitors at Johnson Astills

Fee for Grant of Representation

From 17th November 2025, the fees for obtaining copies of Grants of Representation which are; a Grant of Probate, Grant of Letters of Administration with Will Annexed or Letters of Administration has increased from £1.50 per copy

What is a Longstop Provision in a Will?

When people make a Will, they do this to ensure that their estate passes to their chosen beneficiaries. Something that is often not considered is what would happen to a person’s estate if all of their nominated

What happens to my Will if I get divorced?

Under current legislation in England and Wales, divorce does not revoke your Will. Once the divorce or civil partnership dissolution is finalised, your Will remains valid, but your ex-spouse is treated as having died during your lifetime.

What changes are being made to APR and BPR?

What is Agricultural Property Relief (APR)? APR is a type of IHT relief which reduces the amount of tax that farmers and landowners must pay when farmland is passed down to their next generation. What is Business

What happens if a beneficiary cannot be found?

When someone dies, their estate must be distributed to the relevant beneficiaries. This will either be the beneficiaries named in a valid Will, or, if not, on the application of the Rules of Intestacy. The Personal Representatives (PRs)

How long does it take to get a Grant of Representation?

How long are the Probate Registry taking to issue a Grant of Representation? HMCTS have recently confirmed that Probate Registry wait times, for straight forward applications, for a Grant of Representation have more than halved. The average

Can I give my house to my children before I die?

There are various points to consider before gifting your property to someone else, including but not limited to: deliberate deprivation, gift with a reservation of benefit and potentially exempt transfers. What is Deliberate Deprivation of Assets? This

How do I include my step-children in my Will?

When writing a Will, the term ‘my child’ or ‘my children’ does not automatically include step-children, it only includes biological children and formally adopted children of the person making the Will. If you wish to include step-children,

What is a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)?

What is a Business Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? A Business LPA is a legal document that allows you to authorise a chosen individual (an Attorney) to make decisions concerning your business interests if you are unavailable

What is Mental Capacity?

Mental Capacity is the ability to make and communicate a particular decision. You must understand the decision you need to make, why you need to make it and the likely outcome of the decision. At any time

What Is a Letter of Wishes?

A Letter of Wishes is a document that can be used to guide your Executors and Trustees when managing your estate after your death. A Letters of Wishes is generally used in two circumstances: Alongside your Will

What is a Legacy Contact?

A Legacy Contact is a person you can choose to access your accounts (e.g. Apple, Instagram or Facebook) after your death. This gives the nominated person access to certain elements of your account and allows them to

What is a Grant of Representation?

When someone dies, in order to access assets held with financial institutions, sell assets, and even pay any debts that the deceased held on their death, a legal document known as a Grant of Representation is required.

Can I Make Amendments To My Lasting Powers of Attorney?

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? There are two different types of Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs): Property & Financial Affairs and Health & Welfare. Each of these documents allow you to appoint Attorneys to deal

Can I Leave Gifts to Minors in My Will?

People often want to leave money or gifts in their Will to children or grandchildren. There are different ways in which you can do this, and it is important to consider how you want to leave your

Can I Leave Cryptocurrency In My Will?

Cryptocurrency is becoming more and more common in the investment market with at least 4.2 million people in the UK currently owning it in some form or another. You may choose to leave your digital assets to

‘Thank you so much. We needed your help and support in such a vulnerable time in our lives.’

‘Although our partnership was under unpleasant circumstances, working with you make it a pleasure! I can’t thank you enough for making these months a positive experience as I always was assured of your support in the background. I will not hesitate to recommend you highly to anyone who needs your services.’

‘Having had experience of your organisation, my confidence in you grew. I would have no hesitation in asking you for any necessary representation in the future. Relatives and friends have already been told of my satisfaction. Thank you and well done!’

‘I am perfectly satisfied with the way the case was handled. My solicitor was very efficient, easy to communicate with and was very clear on what the outcome would or could be and who worked well.’

‘Thank you for your kindness. Sometimes it is not easy when you are trying to express how you gave us happiness. A very big thank you!’

‘I cannot fault my experience with Johnson Astills Solicitors. Throughout this difficult time I was made to feel secure, supported and validated – money can’t actually buy these things.’