This episode explores the very recent case of King v King which centered around which of two brothers could administer the estate of their deceased father. It highlights important issued relating to the choices of executor when we are taking instructions from clients.

The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) has released its third edition of the the STEP Provisions. This episode gives a broad overview of the Standard and the Special Provisions as well as looking at what changes have been made from the second edition.

In this episode, we take a look at the value of a well-written Advance Directive and how this can be used alongside a Lasting Power of Attorney for Health & Welfare. We dispel a couple of myths about AD's and also see two other common uses for this document which are not to do with life-sustaining treatment.

This episode looks at the presentation of the Property Protection Trust in a will. It covers five specific tips including when to introduce the concept, how to align it to the client's estate planning goals, what can make the PPT be more real for the client, how to deal with the price and an very effective way of explaining the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common.

In this episode we take a look at the 2022 case of Clitheroe v Bond that established whether the correct test for testamentary capacity was the Banks v Goodfellow test or the Mental Capacity Act 2005 test. In addition to this central point we also look at some of the other aspects to the case that we can learn from when taking instructions from clients, especially when there are contentious elements to those instructions.

This episode's topic deals with those occassions in business when we seem to be facing a threat that feels insurmountable. It is during those times that we can become stressed and it is important to focus on what can be done, rather than what can't be done. Something can always be done to put you at cause rather than at effect. 

This is a second episode on the subject of client follow-up. In this one, we take a look at some of the basic principles and tips to apply when following up with prospective clients or clients that are already mid-service, including commitment, organisation, scheduling, note-keeping, accountability and handling appointment no-shows.

The case of Esterhuizen vs Allied Dunbar (1998) hinged on the extent of the duty of care that will writers, estate planners and solicitors have for their clients, and specifically in ensuring that their wills are successfully signed and witnessed. This episode looks at what happened in the case and how the court decided who was responsible.

Estate planning is fundamentally linked to the ownership of property. So, what does it actually mean to own something? Whilst the subject of ownership branches off into a great many sub-topics, what we look at in this episode is an important foundation that can greatly assist your explanations of wills, LPAs and trusts to your clients.

This is a listener request episode: 'Would it be possible to cover some of the more admin-type tasks in a future episode - specifically what notes to keep on clients and in what format?

As a reponse to this request, the episode takes a simple and practical approach to answer the question. It also covers a major principle that I have found to be invaluable to apply to administration and record-keeping over the many years of operating in this profession.