Making Law Simple: Legal Insights, Advice & Updates from UK Law Experts

Many want to protect their home from care fees, but the wrong steps can trigger deprivation of assets rules — undoing your plans. Beware advisers selling expensive Trusts on the promise of protection; these can cause tax issues, block equity release, and tie you to costly trustees. Early, legal planning with tools like Protective Property Trust Wills can protect assets without the risks.

Many attorneys think they can keep paying bills or use the donor’s bank account after death — but the moment they pass away, your Power of Attorney ends. Accounts should be frozen straight away, and only the executor can access funds. Even well-meaning payments can leave you personally liable. Learn why this rule exists and how to avoid costly mistakes.

Many couples think a joint account means smooth sailing if one loses capacity — but banks can freeze accounts, even for essentials, without a registered LPA. Learn why this happens, how banks find out, and why avoiding a Deputyship Order is key. Toucan Law makes setting up a Lasting Power of Attorney simple, affordable, and stress-free so your finances and loved ones stay protected.

Many believe the 7-year rule wipes out Inheritance Tax on gifts, but if you still benefit from what you’ve given away, HMRC may treat it as though you never gave it up. This is called a Gift with Reservation of Benefit (GWR). Common traps include giving your home to children or putting it into a trust but continuing to live there rent-free. GWR rules can lead to unexpected tax bills and other risks — get advice before making large gifts.

The laws governing Wills haven’t changed since 1837 — the year Queen Victoria took the throne. While we’ve embraced smartphones and digital lives, Will-making is still stuck in the past. But change is coming. The Law Commission’s 2025 proposals aim to modernise this outdated law with electronic Wills, lower age limits, and new protections. It’s a long-overdue update — but getting your Will right still needs expert advice.

If you leave money to someone on benefits, it could jeopardise their entitlement to Universal Credit or other support. Trusts for disabled or vulnerable beneficiaries offer a safe, legal way to protect both the inheritance and their access to means-tested benefits. This blog explains how Trusts work, the risks of direct gifts or informal arrangements, and how to ensure your loved one is properly looked after — now and in the future.

Discover the importance of making a will and how it can safeguard your family's future. Find practical advice on how to make a will in our latest post.

Ensure your children's future if the worst happens with appointing guardians in a will. What will happen to my children if i die?

Inheritance Tax changes are coming in 2026. Learn how to protect your business and legacy with expert planning advice.