Newsflash! Changes to IHT for Gifts Made to Charity
For some time it has been well known that any gifts to registered charities are free from inheritance tax if they are made to a UK based charity, whether made during your lifetime or in your Will.
What is a Letter of Wishes and are They Worth it?
A letter of wishes is a document that provides guidance to your trustees and sits alongside your Will. A letter of wishes is not a legally binding document and therefore there is no legal requirement on the trustees to follow the wishes that are set out.
Investing in the Future of the SWW: 2026 Membership Update
Please see this important information relating to an increase in SWW Membership Fees, effective 1 April 2026.
Common Mistakes When Making a Will – And How to Avoid Them!
Lets look at the five most common mistakes people make when it comes to making a will so you can start your planning already knowing how to avoid them.
The Importance of Audits
It is of vital importance to us at The Society of Will Writers (SWW) that our standards remain the highest in the estate planning profession. Central to this commitment is our annual audit process.
New Locum Templates Now Available for SWW Members
The SWW Professional Standards Board is pleased to announce a new suite of template documents designed for the appointment of Locums. Under Section 2.13 of the SWW Code of Practice, maintaining a succession plan or locum arrangement is a mandatory condition of membership. While this has always been a requirement, we are now providing a...
OPG Announcement on Changes to the Remissions and Exemptions Application Process
The Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) has issued confirmation on significant changes to the way applications for remission and exemptions of LPA and EPA registration fees will be assessed and processed.
Why You Should Write a Will in 2026 – And Why an Old Will May No Longer Be Enough
Making a Will is one of the most important steps anyone can take to protect their family, assets and wishes after death. Yet, despite this, millions of people in the UK still die without one.
New Year, New Start
As another year begins, now is a good time to undertake a review of the current policies and procedures your business has in place from the beginning of taking client instructions to issuing final documents for signature.
Failure of Gifts
Our last article raised a number of common issues we come across when gifts are made in a Will. Here are some more common reasons for a gift failing which we will explore in this article.
Looking Ahead: A Message for 2026
And so begins another year at The Society of Will Writers.
2025 Roundup: This Year in Succession
As we head towards the close of 2025, it is worth pausing to take stock of a year that has been significant for succession law, estate planning and will writing across the United Kingdom.
What issues can arise with gifts in a Will – Part 2
Our previous article highlighted issues that can arise with gifts made in a Will. The second part of this article will also focus on further issues we have come across with gifts made in Wills.
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025: A Foundational Change to English Property Law
The Property (Digital Assets etc) Act 2025, which came into force on the 2nd of December 2025, delivers long awaited clarity on the legal status of digital assets.
What Issues can Arise With Gifts in a Will – Part 1
Our first article of the series looked at gifts that can be made in a will. This 2-part article will now look at what issues can arise with gifts made in a Will that we have come across.
Autumn Budget 2025 – First look at the Inheritance Tax impact
Yesterday 26th November 2025 saw Chancellor Rachel Reeves announce her much anticipated autumn budget. There are some changes relating to Inheritance Tax (IHT) to consider and that Will Writers and Estate Planning Practitioners ought to be aware of.
Gifting in a Will – what gifts can you make?
A key part of the estate planning process is deciding how you would like your estate to be distributed along with any specific gifts you would like to make and who to. This 4-part series explains what gifts can be made in a Will and what you should consider when making them.
Undue Influence and Wills: Rethinking Protection for the Vulnerable: A Look at Proposed Reforms to Wills Law.
Few areas of Wills law stir as much concern among practitioners as undue influence. The idea that a person’s last wishes could be threatened by another’s pressure strikes at the heart of testamentary freedom.
About The Society of Will Writers
The Society of Will Writers is a non-profit making self-regulatory organisation whose primary objectives are the advancement, education and ethical standards within the will writing profession.
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