Vanessa Swales

Vanessa Swales specialises in all aspects of Private Client work, including wills, powers of attorney, estate administration and Court of Protection applications.

The 2024 Autumn Budget and Inheritance Tax Advice

inheritance tax advice

Inheritance tax advice following the 2024 budget. As predicted, the Labour Government’s Autumn Budget introduced a number of significant reforms to inheritance tax (IHT). The changes are likely to increase IHT liabilities in estates with property, pensions, agricultural assets and certain types of business interests. The reforms can be summarised as follows: Freezing the Nil

Inheritance tax planning and lifetime gifts

North Devon private client solicitor, Vanessa Swales, looks at inheritance tax planning and lifetime gifts Inheritance tax is the tax that is paid on someone’s estate when they pass away. If your estate is worth more than £325,000, it may be liable to inheritance tax. The current (December 2023) rate of inheritance tax is 40%.

What are probate fees in England & Wales?

The latest news on probate fees in England and Wales.

Do I need to make a new Will if one of my witnesses or executor dies before me?

In the third of a series of articles about the circumstances when a new Will should be made, Solicitor Vanessa Swales looks at what effect the death of a witness or executor has on a Will.

Do I need to make a new Will if I get divorced?

In the second of a series of articles about when a new Will needs to be made, Solicitor Vanessa Swales looks at what effect divorce has on a Will.

Do I need to make a new Will if I get married?

In the first of a series of articles about when a new Will needs to be made, Solicitor Vanessa Swales looks at what effect marriage has on a Will.

LPAs: Power of Attorney fees reduced

If you wish to make an LPA then we offer a fixed fee service which starts at £595 plus VAT and disbursements. Call us on 0333 888 0404 or send an email to [email protected]

Slee Blackwell – A Dementia Friendly Law Firm

Solicitor and Dementia Friend, Vanessa Swales, looks at the legal issues affecting people diagnosed with dementia. There are an estimated 850,000 people with dementia in the UK. Numbers are set to rise to over 1 million by 2025 and a staggering 2 million by 2051. Slee Blackwell is dedicated to supporting people affected by dementia.