Advising Families

10/02/2026

How can you protect yourself from financial harm?

In new resources for STEP's 'Spot the signs' campaign to help people spot the signs of financial abuse, we have produced resources to help individuals protect themselves from this kind of abuse.

Our advice includes:

☑️Exercise caution when a person is taking a new or unusual interest in your finances
☑️ Be cautious of unsolicited and unexpected calls, emails, texts or other contact
☑️If someone encourages you to make a new will, or to make a gift to them, make an appointment with a qualified professional advisor

📖Explore our campaign resources: https://bit.ly/4ktvUmu

👉Find out more about the campaign: https://bit.ly/4rg9eJ6

09/02/2026

STEP member and estate planning specialist Jo Summers TEP has been quoted in an article from The Sun focusing on making a will and the important details to consider.

Jo commented: 'The only certain way to ensure that your loved ones inherit in line with your wishes is by making a will.'

👉Read more in the article: https://bit.ly/4chAuC6

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist about your will: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

06/02/2026

What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?

Watch our video to find out more about this important part of your estate planning.

📖Learn more about a Lasting Power of Attorney in our article: https://bit.ly/4bFk32q

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

04/02/2026

If you are getting a divorce, it is very important to review your estate planning.

For those who have set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) with their former spouse named as their attorney, this needs to be reviewed.

In our article on the topic we answer questions including:

👉Will divorce end my spouse’s appointment as my attorney?
👉Will divorce terminate the rest of my LPA?
👉Can I revoke my LPA or terminate my spouse’s appointment prior to divorce?

📖Read more in our article: https://bit.ly/3NYfQNi

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

02/02/2026

None of us likes to face the prospect of becoming incapable due to age or illness, and becoming unable to make decisions about our medical treatment and care.

An Advance Decision, also known as a Living Will, (especially in in Scotland) is a written document that allows you to retain control when the time comes.

You must be over 18 and have mental capacity to create one.

📖Read more in our article: https://bit.ly/3NTpuAK

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

30/01/2026

What are Asset Protection Trusts and why do you need to be wary of them?

An Asset Protection Trust is a trust where people transfer assets (usually their home) into the trust during their lifetime, to keep them outside means-tested assessments on their estate.

📖In our new article, estate planning specialist Amy Lane TEP from gunnercooke, discusses these types of trusts and why you should be wary of creating one: https://bit.ly/49NKgub

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

28/01/2026

Many people experience significant delays in obtaining probate.

Probate is the legal right to deal with someone’s estate after their death and avoiding delays can help ease stress at an already difficult time.

You may not be aware that there are steps you and your loved ones can take to avoid these delays - find out more in this video!

👉Read more in our article: https://bit.ly/49LhZo1

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

27/01/2026

‘All of a sudden, you’re invisible', says Linda Harmer-Strange from our STEP Journal Roundtable.

In our Journal article parents of young adults with additional needs describe what it feels like to be refused care, ignored by systems and left without guidance after their child turns 18.

📖Read our STEP Journal Roundtable, bringing the voices of parents together with legal and medical experts and what needs to change to help them plan better care for the future: https://bit.ly/4tkcO6r

26/01/2026

In this article from SAGA you can hear from two STEP members, Rhiannon Gogh and Philip Warford TEP as they discuss writing a will and setting up a trust for a child with special needs.

📖Read more in the article: https://bit.ly/3NCR45b

It is important to seek out expert advice when undertaking your estate planning, as the article highlights, you can search for STEP members in your area who will have specialist expertise to help you.

👉Find a STEP member near you: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

Discover how to write a will and set up a trust for a child with additional needs. Avoid pitfalls and safeguard their future.

23/01/2026

After someone dies, it is a very difficult time.

There is complex and sometimes urgent legal paperwork, sometimes called ‘sadmin’.

In our article you can read our guide to 'sadmin' which gives you a brief overview of the different parts of the process to help you understand how it works.

📖Read more in our article: https://bit.ly/4r4qKzl

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep

22/01/2026

In November 2025, the UK Chancellor announced that families of victims of the infected blood scandal are no longer at risk of compensation payments being unfairly subjected to 40% inheritance tax.

The Association of Lifetime Lawyers and STEP, who campaigned on this issue, have produced further guidance for those families affected by this scandal.

📖You can read more in STEP's guidance: https://bit.ly/4jRpFbH

21/01/2026

Do you understand what makes a will legally valid? ✍️

A will is a crucial legal document that ensures your wishes are carried out after your death. However, for it be legally valid, it must be properly signed and witnessed.

📖Read more in our article by estate planning specialist Nina Sperring TEP: https://bit.ly/49VoWBY

📞Speak to an estate planning specialist: https://advisingfamilies.org/uk/find-a-tep