Probate and estate administration is the financial and legal process which takes place after someone has died. The purpose is to make sure all relevant taxes are collected, money owing to creditors is paid, debts owed to the deceased are collected and the remaining assets from the estate are distributed to the relevant beneficiaries. To find a Probate record online you can vis ...

Charities in England & Wales need to be aware that CCEW has replaced the means by which they can file accounts and annual returns online. The new My Charity Commission Account service went live on 31 July 2023, and access to the previous digital service has been withdrawn. Any charity that is part-way through filing their 2022 annual return on the old system will not be abl ...

Are you a director of a limited company? If yes, you should check if you are required to register for Self-Assessment and if your personal tax return includes the relevant income from your company, along with other income you have received in the year. Who should apply for Self-Assessment? Company Directors are required to file Self-Assessment Tax Returns if the following ap ...

The Fundraising Regulator has launched a consultation on proposed changes to the Code of Fundraising Practice. There are two key themes set out in the proposals, to combine and amend the existing rules into principles-based rules, and to replace rules where the Fundraising Regulator is not the lead regulator with signposting of relevant legislation and guidance. They are also ...

Before Probate is granted

In general, a Will is a private document until a Grant of Probate is issued. While the testator is still alive, nobody other than the testator is entitled to receive a copy of the Will.

Following the testator’s death, unless and until Probate is granted, the Will remains a private document although the Executors named in the Will are entitled to see it. 

A common concern about the charity sector is that too little of the funds raised get spent on performing charitable activities. This issue was recently considered by CCEW when carrying out an inquiry into Hospice Aid UK which had a costly direct mailing agreement with a third-party agency, and discovered that substantial funds being generated were being almost entirely consumed ...

How the Autumn Statement update tax changes may affect your business Following the Autumn Statement 2023 announcing tax changes for business owners, employees and employers, updates are being released in stages informing businesses how they will be affected at the beginning of the new tax year in April 2024.  Discover below the recent updates on Capital Allowances, Corporate ...

Having an effective system of internal control is a key way in which charities can protect themselves against risks that may arise and safeguard their resources. With the passage of time new risks will emerge and those systems will need to respond and adapt. To help charities with this process CCEW has updated its guidance in CC8 internal controls for charities. The updated gu ...

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver the 2024 Spring Budget on 6 March, the government has confirmed. The Budget will include the government's tax and spending plans as well as new growth and borrowing forecasts. It could be the last chance for the government to announce significant changes to tax policy before the general election.The Chancellor used his last big fiscal speec ...

How to find someone's assets after death? When someone dies, it is up to their family to locate all the assets that they left behind. Although this task usually falls to the person who will ultimately be the executor of the Will, having a few family members tackle this project together can make it mentally and emotionally easier. Assets include things like bank accounts, savi ...