Wills and Probate Autumn Update 2026

Key Subjects

• Will Drafting and Planning Problems
• IHT on Pensions Update
• Family Home & Funding Care
• Less Common Issues when Administering Estates
• Tax and Trust Autumn Update
• Older Client Autumn Update

Speakers

Professor Lesley King, Professional Development Consultant, University of Law

John Bunker, Solicitor, Chartered Tax Adviser and Lecturer

Caroline Bielanska, Solicitor, TEP, Independent Consultant, Mediator, Author and Arbitrator

Conference Programme

Will Drafting and Planning Problems

• Risk of claims under I(PFD)A 1975
• When is a statutory Will appropriate?
• Family relationships (with a quick look at the proposals for Cohabitees)
• Checking instructions

Professor Lesley King, Professional Development Consultant, University of Law

IHT on Pensions Update

This session will consider the evolving treatment of pensions within estate administration and the practical issues arising for probate practitioners and those advising on estate planning.

The session will cover:

• Practical issues for probate practice and estate administration processes
• Interaction with pension scheme administrators
• Treatment of pension assets within estates and distribution considerations
• Implications for executors, beneficiaries and estate costs and timing
• Key points for estate planning in light of ongoing developments

John Bunker, Solicitor, Chartered Tax Adviser and Lecturer

Family Home & Funding Care

• When and how long the home is disregarded in the financial means test
• How the local authority values a beneficial interest in the home
• What if the home is a mobile home?
• Paying for additional care using the home as collateral
• Deferred Payment Agreements

Caroline Bielanska, Solicitor, TEP, Independent Consultant, Mediator, Author and

Less Common Issues when Administering Estates

• Mutual Wills agreement
• Charities and IHT
• Wills Act 1837, s33
• PRs’ liability for IHT on assets not in their hands

Professor Lesley King, Professional Development Consultant, University of Law

Tax and Trust Autumn Update 

This session will provide an update on recent developments affecting trusts and tax planning, with a focus on practical implications for advisers.

The session will cover:

• Recent tax developments and their impact on planning for clients and trusts
• Issues arising in relation to reliefs and allowances in estate and inheritance tax planning
• Interaction between pensions and inheritance tax considerations in estate planning
• Updates relating to trust registration requirements and related compliance issues

John Bunker, Solicitor, Chartered Tax Adviser and Lecturer

Older Client Autumn Update

• Introduction of digital trustee applications in the Court of Protection
• Getting an order for sale following AGNI [2026] UKSC 16
• Update on digital LPAs
• Update on MCA code consultation
• Health and social care case update

Caroline Bielanska, Solicitor, TEP, Independent Consultant, Mediator, Author and Trainer