Posts By Cindy-Marie Leicester
New Year, new will
Typical New Year's resolutions including getting fit, starting a course or reading all those books that have been gathering dust. But how about resolving to do something that could quite literally change lives? Cindy-Marie Leicester from Wills Worldwide explains why writing a will should be on everyone's to-do list for 2018.
Choosing the Right Guardian for Your Children
As expat parents, it is absolutely essential to nominate a legal guardian for your children. However, the choice is a difficult one and should not be made lightly. Cindy-Marie Leicester of Wills Worldwide discusses the key factors you should take into consideration.
LGBT Couples – The Ins and Outs of Legacy Planning
LGBT relationship law is constantly changing and evolving at very different paces around the world. If you are an LGBT family, staying aware of relevant law changes and rights is vital. Cindy-Marie Leicester discusses the ins and outs of legacy planning for LGBT families in her latest guest blog.
Planning your wedding? Don’t forget to talk about death!
Behind a flippant Halloween picture lies a serious estate planning message for newly married couples.
Long term care could cost your estate more than inheritance tax
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how the cost oif long term care can affect the legacy you pass on to your loved ones.
Making the most of your property equity now
Cindy-Marie Leicester discusses the benefits of equity release.
Will your new partner respect your wishes for your existing family?
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how second marriages and complicated family set ups can make it more important than ever to ensure you have a will that properly sets out your wishes.
Is it time you set up a lasting power of attorney?
As average life expectancy increases so does incidence of neurological diseases such as dementia in old age. This raises the problem of mental incapacity and the importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Must I have a funeral?
Cindy-Marie Leicester looks at why increasing number of people are choosing to forego on a traditional funeral.
The importance of disclosing lifetime gifts – a lesson for executors and beneficiaries
Cindy-Marie Leicester examines a case where a substantial gift paid into an offshore bank account was left undisclosed. It contains useful lessons for both beneficiaries and executors.
Could your will be overturned?
Your will may not be as cut and dried as you think. Cindy-Marie Leicester reviews a still unresolved court battle over the provisions of a will.
How to prevent a dispute over your last will and testament
There has been a rapid escalation in the number of UK wills being contested in court. Cindy-Marie Leicester examines how you can prevent disputes over your last will and testament.
Where will you rest in peace?
What will happen to your body after you die? Some might see it as a morbid subject but it is one that will affect us all and for expatriates living overseas it is something they may wish to consider. Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at some options.
A win:win scenario: leave a legacy to charity AND reduce your inheritance tax bill
35% of Brits leave a gift to charity in their will. As well as being generous to worthy causes it could also reduce your inheritance tax bill. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how everyone can be a winner.
What happens when the time comes – 10 steps to prepare for the worst
Preparing for your demise may sound morbid but it makes good sense and will relieve an enormous burden of stress from your loved ones. Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester provides a step-by-step guide to help you plan for the inevitable.
Funeral costs are rising – who will pay for yours?
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at increasing expense of funerals and looks at ways you can relief your family of the burden meeting the costs.
Avoid paying inheritance tax on your ISA – a useful tool in your estate-planning armoury!
Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how you can structure your ISA so it is not liable for inheritance tax.
The pitfalls of a DIY will
Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how it could cost your loved ones far greater pain than a sore thumb if you bodge your DIY will.
The cost of dying abroad
Dying abroad can be a very expensive business. Cindy-Marie Leicester looks at how expatriates can mitigate against the costs and save their family from an additional worry at a time of grief.
A gift for mankind: donating your body to science
For some people the thought that their body could save a life once their own has come to an end is something that gives them comfort.
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how to donate your body to science.
How to choose an executor for your estate
Cindy-Marie Leicester provides some advice for selecting an executor for your will.
What does the executor of a will actually do?
Cindy-Marie Leicester explains the duties and responsibilities of the executor of a will.
Five considerations when choosing a legal guardian for your child
Choosing a legal guardian for their child or children should be pretty much at the top of every new parent’s to do list but it tends to be one of those jobs which gets shoved to the bottom of the pile never to emerge. Sadly tragedies can and do happen so it is best to be prepared.
Freedom to choose the beneficiaries of your will called into question by landmark ruling
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at the strange case of Melita Jackson, a controversial ruling by the UK courts that underlines the importance of careful drafting is you wish to ensure complete adherence to your dying wishes.
Inheritance tax changes are good news for UK homeowners
In his budget, George Osborne stated that the desire to pass something on to your children is ‘about the most basic, human and natural aspiration there is’ and now UK homeowners will be able to pass on more.
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at the inheritance tax changes in the UK.
Marrying off your parents – the pros and cons!
A widowed parent remarrying can be a cause for great celebration, but it can also cause discord when it comes to inheritance. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains why complicated family situations have results in will disputes soaring.
Avoid family feuds and unnecessary tax bills on your death - make a will
Family feuds and fortunes forfeited to the State: two massive problems that you can leave in your wake by dying without writing a will. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains
UK inheritance tax – are those ‘in the know’ paying less?
Expat will writer Cindy-Marie Leicester investigates.
The pampered pooch that will inherit a house!
Every dog has it's day but as Cindy-Marie Leicester reports some have it decidedly better than others!
New Year, new will

Typical New Year's resolutions including getting fit, starting a course or reading all those books that have been gathering dust. But how about resolving to do something that could quite literally change lives? Cindy-Marie Leicester from Wills Worldwide explains why writing a will should be on everyone's to-do list for 2018.
Choosing the Right Guardian for Your Children

As expat parents, it is absolutely essential to nominate a legal guardian for your children. However, the choice is a difficult one and should not be made lightly. Cindy-Marie Leicester of Wills Worldwide discusses the key factors you should take into consideration.
LGBT Couples – The Ins and Outs of Legacy Planning

LGBT relationship law is constantly changing and evolving at very different paces around the world. If you are an LGBT family, staying aware of relevant law changes and rights is vital. Cindy-Marie Leicester discusses the ins and outs of legacy planning for LGBT families in her latest guest blog.
Planning your wedding? Don’t forget to talk about death!

Behind a flippant Halloween picture lies a serious estate planning message for newly married couples.
Long term care could cost your estate more than inheritance tax

Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how the cost oif long term care can affect the legacy you pass on to your loved ones.
Making the most of your property equity now

Cindy-Marie Leicester discusses the benefits of equity release.
Will your new partner respect your wishes for your existing family?

Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how second marriages and complicated family set ups can make it more important than ever to ensure you have a will that properly sets out your wishes.
Is it time you set up a lasting power of attorney?

As average life expectancy increases so does incidence of neurological diseases such as dementia in old age. This raises the problem of mental incapacity and the importance of a Lasting Power of Attorney.
Must I have a funeral?

Cindy-Marie Leicester looks at why increasing number of people are choosing to forego on a traditional funeral.
The importance of disclosing lifetime gifts – a lesson for executors and beneficiaries

Cindy-Marie Leicester examines a case where a substantial gift paid into an offshore bank account was left undisclosed. It contains useful lessons for both beneficiaries and executors.
Could your will be overturned?

Your will may not be as cut and dried as you think. Cindy-Marie Leicester reviews a still unresolved court battle over the provisions of a will.
How to prevent a dispute over your last will and testament

There has been a rapid escalation in the number of UK wills being contested in court. Cindy-Marie Leicester examines how you can prevent disputes over your last will and testament.
Where will you rest in peace?

What will happen to your body after you die? Some might see it as a morbid subject but it is one that will affect us all and for expatriates living overseas it is something they may wish to consider. Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at some options.
A win:win scenario: leave a legacy to charity AND reduce your inheritance tax bill

35% of Brits leave a gift to charity in their will. As well as being generous to worthy causes it could also reduce your inheritance tax bill. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how everyone can be a winner.
What happens when the time comes – 10 steps to prepare for the worst

Preparing for your demise may sound morbid but it makes good sense and will relieve an enormous burden of stress from your loved ones. Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester provides a step-by-step guide to help you plan for the inevitable.
Funeral costs are rising – who will pay for yours?

Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at increasing expense of funerals and looks at ways you can relief your family of the burden meeting the costs.
Avoid paying inheritance tax on your ISA – a useful tool in your estate-planning armoury!

Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how you can structure your ISA so it is not liable for inheritance tax.
The pitfalls of a DIY will

Infinity's Cindy-Marie Leicester explains how it could cost your loved ones far greater pain than a sore thumb if you bodge your DIY will.
The cost of dying abroad

Dying abroad can be a very expensive business. Cindy-Marie Leicester looks at how expatriates can mitigate against the costs and save their family from an additional worry at a time of grief.
A gift for mankind: donating your body to science

For some people the thought that their body could save a life once their own has come to an end is something that gives them comfort.
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at how to donate your body to science.
How to choose an executor for your estate

Cindy-Marie Leicester provides some advice for selecting an executor for your will.
What does the executor of a will actually do?

Cindy-Marie Leicester explains the duties and responsibilities of the executor of a will.
Five considerations when choosing a legal guardian for your child

Choosing a legal guardian for their child or children should be pretty much at the top of every new parent’s to do list but it tends to be one of those jobs which gets shoved to the bottom of the pile never to emerge. Sadly tragedies can and do happen so it is best to be prepared.
Freedom to choose the beneficiaries of your will called into question by landmark ruling

Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at the strange case of Melita Jackson, a controversial ruling by the UK courts that underlines the importance of careful drafting is you wish to ensure complete adherence to your dying wishes.
Inheritance tax changes are good news for UK homeowners

In his budget, George Osborne stated that the desire to pass something on to your children is ‘about the most basic, human and natural aspiration there is’ and now UK homeowners will be able to pass on more.
Cindy-Marie Leicester takes a look at the inheritance tax changes in the UK.
Marrying off your parents – the pros and cons!

A widowed parent remarrying can be a cause for great celebration, but it can also cause discord when it comes to inheritance. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains why complicated family situations have results in will disputes soaring.
Avoid family feuds and unnecessary tax bills on your death - make a will

Family feuds and fortunes forfeited to the State: two massive problems that you can leave in your wake by dying without writing a will. Cindy-Marie Leicester explains
UK inheritance tax – are those ‘in the know’ paying less?

Expat will writer Cindy-Marie Leicester investigates.
The pampered pooch that will inherit a house!

Every dog has it's day but as Cindy-Marie Leicester reports some have it decidedly better than others!