The Estate & Legacy Hub.
"A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you." – Shannon AlderProtect Your Legacy, Plan Your Future
Explore our Estate & Legacy articles and resources
Understanding Intestacy Rules in the UK
Intestacy rules are a legal framework that dictate who inherits what.
Best UK Alternatives to Everplans, Cake, GoodTrust, & Prisidio (2025)
Looking for UK alternatives to US legacy planning platforms like Everplans, Cake, GoodTrust, My Life & Wishes, or Prisidio?
Securing the Legacy Years: How Lyfeguard Empowers End-of-Life Planning
Discover how Lyfeguard helps you plan for the future and secure a lasting legacy for your loved ones.
Next of Kin in the UK: Understanding Your Rights & Responsibilities
Understanding "next of kin" in the UK is crucial in various situations, from end-of-life care to inheritance and managing a loved one's affairs.
Probate in the UK
This guide demystifies probate, the legal process following a death. Learn when it's required, the steps involved, and how it impacts asset distribution.
Memorialising a Loved One on Facebook
A step-by-step guide to memorialising a loved one's Facebook account and preserving their digital legacy.
UK End-of-Life Planning Guide
Prepare for the future with this essential guide to UK end-of-life planning, covering wills, funerals, and more.
Choosing the Right Funeral Music: A Guide to Creating a Personal Tribute
A guide to selecting meaningful and comforting music for funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life.
Securing Your Digital Legacy
From crafting a digital inventory to appointing a digital executor, take steps now to secure your online assets and bring peace of mind to your loved ones.
UK Funeral Planning Guide
A comprehensive guide to planning a funeral in the UK, including costs, arrangements, and legal requirements.
The UK's Tell Us Once Service
A straightforward guide to using the Tell Us Once service to notify government departments after a death in the UK.
UK Legacy Planning
Plan your financial future and leave a lasting legacy with this comprehensive guide to UK legacy planning.
What Happens to a TV Licence When Someone Dies? A Step-by-Step Guide
A simple guide providing you with the information you need to cancel a TV licence after someone dies in the UK.
UK Will Writing Guide
Learn everything you need to know about writing a will in the UK with this comprehensive guide.
Writing a Funeral Order of Service
An order of service is a booklet that outlines the events that will take place during a funeral or memorial service.
How Do I Close An Email Account After Someone Dies?
Closing an email account after a loved one has passed away can be a difficult task, but it is important to do so to protect their privacy and security.
Writing A Death Notice Or Obituary
A death notice is a notice or announcement of someone's death, often published in a newspaper or online.
How Do I Close An YouTube Account After Someone Dies?
This guide will walk you through the steps for closing a YouTube account when someone dies.
Choosing Funeral Flowers
Funeral flowers are tributes symbolising love, respect, and remembrance, offering condolences and solace during times of mourning.
What Do Pallbearers Do in the UK?
Pallbearers play an important role in traditional funeral services. The selection of pallbearers is a way to honour and remember the deceased and to offer support and comfort to their family and loved ones.
Compassionate Leave In The UK
Compassionate leave is time off granted to employees due to the death or serious illness of a close relative, providing time for them to grieve.
Understanding Embalming
Embalming is a process carried out on deceased individuals' bodies to preserve their appearance and delay the decomposition process.
What Is Direct Cremation?
Direct cremation involves the cremation of the body shortly after death, without a funeral service or visitation beforehand.
How Do I Close A BBC Account After Someone Dies?
The BBC is a British public service broadcaster. This article provides the process you will need to close a BBC account for either yourself, or someone who has passed away.
How Do I Close A Twitter/X Profile After Someone Dies?
This guide will walk you through the steps for closing a Twitter account when someone dies.
How Do I Close A Facebook Account After Someone Dies?
If a loved one dies, Facebook can either memorialise the profile or delete the account altogether. This article will show you how to do this.
Exhuming a Body
Delve into the delicate topic of exhumation, a practice viewed critically by many cultures and religions, through our comprehensive article.
A Guide to Co-Executors
Explore the realm of appointing co-executors in your will, understanding their collaborative or independent roles in materializing your final wishes, in our detailed article.
Who To Inform After A Death
When someone dies, it is crucial to inform the appropriate people and organisations as soon as possible. The people you should tell will depend on the circumstances of the person's death and your relationship with them.
A Guide To Open-Casket Funerals
It's natural to feel apprehensive about attending a funeral where the casket will be open. This guide aims to provide clarity and understanding.
Do I need a lawyer for estate planning?
While you can technically create some basic estate planning documents yourself, it's highly recommended to consult with an estate planning attorney. They can provide personalised advice, ensure your documents are legally sound, and help you navigate complex situations.
When should I start estate planning?
It's never too early to start estate planning. Ideally, you should create or update your estate plan whenever you experience a major life event, such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, or a significant change in your financial situation.
What are the different types of trusts?
There are many types of trusts, including:
- Revocable Trusts: Can be altered or dissolved by the grantor during their lifetime.
- Irrevocable Trusts: Cannot be easily changed once established.
- Living Trusts: Created during the grantor's lifetime.
- Testamentary Trusts: Created through a will and take effect after death.
What is a trust, and how does it work?
A trust is a legal arrangement where a trustee holds and manages assets on behalf of beneficiaries. Trusts can be used for various purposes, such as minimising estate taxes, protecting assets for minors, or providing for loved ones with special needs.
What is probate?
Probate is the legal process of administering a deceased person's estate. This involves validating the will (if one exists), identifying and valuing assets, paying debts and taxes, and finally distributing the remaining assets to the beneficiaries.
What is a will, and why do I need one?
A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes for the distribution of your assets after your death. Without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of intestacy, which may not align with your wishes.
Why is estate management important?
Proper estate management minimises stress and potential conflict for your loved ones during an already difficult time. It can also help reduce taxes and other expenses, ensuring that more of your assets go to your beneficiaries.
What is estate management?
Estate management involves the organisation, administration, and distribution of a person's assets after their death. This includes everything from property and finances to personal belongings and digital assets. It ensures that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are taken care of according to your instructions.
What is legacy planning?
Legacy planning goes beyond just distributing assets. It encompasses your values, beliefs, and the impact you want to leave on the world. This could include charitable giving, establishing a foundation, or passing on family traditions and values.