Janine Moore - Wills & Probate Lawyer

The office isn’t closed but it has changed location for the week.

Nothing says 'Thank you' like a great review and a bottle of wine:-

"If you need a lawyer for wills and probate contact Janine Moore.

Mrs Moore helped me get power of attorney in an easy to understand manner at every stage. Janine is a very friendly person. I would certainly recommend her to anyone who needs a good lawyer, which she is. The service was 10 out of 10. Great".

Thanks Mr C. It has been an absolute pleasure not only getting to know you but helping you with your Powers of Attorney.

Reviews are the backbone of any small business. Thanks to my client Mr K for the following review posted to google today:-

"Janine Moore was excellent help dealing with and applying for probate after my late stepfather died. She was good at communicating the steps and collating all the required information. She's very easy to talk to, and helped with all my questions. I would definitely seek Janine advice and services again, should the need arise. I would also point out her fees are very competitive. Many Thanks Janine."

Increase to Probate Registry Fees

From May 2024 Probate Registry Fees will increase from £273 to £300 per application.

Thank you Mrs P for your wonderful comments:-

"I have found Janine to be a very professional, helpful and friendly lawyer. It really helped that Janine could work her appointments around our work and home life with home visits, emails and calls. Janine did exactly what we wanted and needed, to sort out our Lasting Powers of Attorney, making it a less stressful and happy experience leaving us feeling safe and secure for ourselves and our family."

It is hard to believe that 3 years today I started working for myself. I'd like to give a huge shout out to all of my family, my husband in particular, for supporting me through this journey. Also a huge thank you to all of my clients over the past 3 years. I look forward to working with you and your families in the coming weeks, months and years.

I am delighted to advise that The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has accepted my application for renewal of my Practising Certificate.

HMRC crackdown on digital platforms.

HMRC has, from 1st January 2024, introduced new reporting rules for digital platforms that facilitate the sale of goods i.e. Ebay, Vinted, Airbnb, Etsy.

It has created a new team to investigate income generation that is not reported to HMRC and upon which income tax has not been considered or applied.

These platforms must record and report the income of sellers directly to HMRC . Platforms that will continue under the new rules are likely to be seeking additional personal information from sellers to assist HMRC in matching up new sales with existing tax payers.

If you are regularly using these platforms to sell goods, please review your income tax threshold and take appropriate advice to avoid a visit from the tax man.

If you watched The Martin Lewis Money Show recently you’ll know that he spoke about the importance of an LPA (lasting power of attorney).

Since then lots of questions about the process of making an LPA and the people involved have been raised.

The Office of the Public Guardian cover FAQs, share people’s own stories and experiences of LPAs and explain lots of common words and phrases on our blog.

I am also happy to answer any questions that you may have in relation to existing LPA's and creation of LPAs.

Office of the Public Guardian on LinkedIn: Blog If you watched The Martin Lewis Money Show this week you’ll know that he spoke about the importance of an LPA (lasting power of attorney). Since then we've…

The House of Commons Justice Select Committee has launched an inquiry into the HM Courts & Tribunal Service’s probate registry performance following continuing significant delays in the issue of grants.

This significant problem is still affecting bereaved families at a most difficult time in their lives.

UK MPs begin inquiry into continuing probate delays | STEP The House of Commons Justice Select Committee (the Justice Committee) has launched an inquiry into the HM Courts & Tribunal Service’s (HMCTS’) probate registry performance, following continuing significant delays in the issue of grants.

Autumn Statement

No reduction announced for inheritance tax rates.

You still have a Nil Rate Allowance per individual of £325,000. If all relevant criteria are met an individual can also claim £175,000 Residence Nil Rate Band.

Spouses and Civil Partners can transfer allowances. It is therefore possible for a married couple or Civil Partners to shelter up to £1m of assets against inheritance tax when the second of the couple dies.

If you are at all unsure of your own position in relation to inheritance tax, please seek independent legal advice.

Positive feedback is the backbone of my business. Long may it continue:

"My sisters and I would like to express our heartfelt thanks for your patient and persistent support in dealing with probate after our mother's death in January 2020. It has been something of a journey and we are so grateful to you for having accompanied us on this, offering clarity and guidance.

Above all, you have been a humane presence who has often leavened our encounters with humour."

A wonderful surprise this morning from a happy client.

Introducing a former work colleague of mine Richard Collins. He’s a self-employed Consultant with Taylor Rose and specialises in all aspects of Residential Conveyancing.

Registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney delays to continue:-

It is “unlikely” that lasting power of attorney (LPA) application timescales will return to eight weeks anytime soon, the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has said.

Current registration time is at least 5 months so you must take this extra time into account when initially setting up your Powers of Attorney.

And a final post for today - thank you to Mr and Mrs S for providing this lovely feedback:

"Thank you for all your help in arranging our Wills. Something we had put off for far too long! If I had known it was that straight forward I would have done it long ago."

Residents of Bishop's Stortford - please note that I have today sent a letter to our MP asking her to investigate the current issues that all estate administration practitioners and the general public is having when dealing with HM Revenue & Customs and HM Courts & Tribunal Service.

It is an unfortunate truth, at the moment, that dealings with either of the above departments or any department with the pre-fix HM, is likely to cause significant headaches, delays and stress.

I will provide any updates received.

PROBATE UPDATE

Just to let everyone know that HMCTS still has a significant backlog of cases. Grants of Representation (Grants of Probate and Grants of Administration) are currently taking up to 5 months to be issued.

If you have instructed a lawyer to deal with this for you, please be patient. We are unable to chase updates until 16 weeks have passed since the date the application was completed.

Its clearly the week for feedback:

Thank you very much for all your help and work in getting us organised with everything, at least we can now rest assured that we've now got all the important and legal documentarian in place.

Lovely to meet you and thanks again for all help.

JD

CAPITAL GAINS TAX

In the recent Budget capital gains tax was cut from £12,300 per person to less than half, £6,000, for this financial year 23/24. From April 2024 that will be cut again to £3,000.

My advice - if capital gains tax is going to be an issue seek advice from an accountant. There are allowances and exemptions that can be taken into account when calculating capital gains tax that may help reduce the overall tax due.

More great feedback from some recent clients:-

Thank you for your advice in helping us to make our Wills.
You were thorough with extensive, detailed and clear advice.
Nothing was too much trouble and the time you spent with us was above and beyond our expectations.
Very professional and friendly.
You come very highly recommended.
Thank you again

RD & AD

A clean board for the start of a new month. It won’t stay that way for long.

FRIDAY FEEDBACK

I can't do anything about the poor weather I'm afraid but I did receive some wonderful feedback from a client that's put a smile on my face:-

"Janine has recently helped sort out my late mother's affairs. I have found Janine to be extremely helpful, friendly and professional with a knowledge that surpasses all others!

She has always been available to explain things and give further advice when needed.

I have been been very grateful for Janine in accommodating my work hours and making appointments to suit.

I would not hesitate to recommend Janine's service in the future."

Thanks Mrs B. It's been a pleasure working with you.

I have the best clients:-

"Janine has recently helped sort out my late Mother's affairs.

I have found Janine to be extremely helpful, friendly and professional with a knowledge that surpasses all others!

She has always been available to explain things and give further advice when needed.

I have been very grateful for Janine - accommodating my work hours and making appointments to suit. I would not hesitate to recommend Janine's services in the future."

Thank you so much Mrs B. Pleased I have been able to help you through this very difficult time.

I can’t believe it’s been a whole two years. Working for myself is amazing. One of the best decisions I ever made.

Update for Probate Registry paper applications:-

Whilst most probate applications are submitted digitally there are sometimes more complex cases that require paper applications.

I am advised today that Probate Registry is working on paper applications received in mid October. This is causing significant delays to the issue of Grants of Probate.

If possible applications should be made digitally to reduce the time it takes for a Grant to be issued.

It's always great to hear from clients that they are happy with the service that has been provided. This from a client today:

Thank you so much for all your help and expertise during this long process.

Thanks Mrs O.

A wonderful surprise from another satisfied client. Just in time for my 2 year consulting anniversary. Thank you Mr and Mrs P. It’s been a pleasure working with you.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/markquinnlaw_what-are-the-latest-japanese-knotweed-legal-activity-7032291450159558656-mmWH?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Mark Quinn on LinkedIn: What Are The Latest Japanese Knotweed Legal Cla... | Blog Article A recent landmark Court of Appeal case could well open the floodgates for Japanese Knotweed claims. The appellant successfully argued the right to recover…