Admin & Legal
If You Own Property Abroad, Your UK Will May Not Be Enough
7 minute read
Own property abroad? Your UK will may not cover it. Here's how to protect overseas assets in your will — and what to do if you have assets in more than one country.
Read More →LPA Activation: How to Activate a Lasting Power of Attorney After Registration
7 minute read
Your LPA has been registered. Now what? Find out when you can act, how to activate your LPA online, and what to do before you ever need to use it.
Read More →The November 2025 budget and what it means for your estate plan
5 minute read
The November 2025 Budget brings major tax, pension and property changes. Learn how new rules may affect inheritance tax, pensions and your estate plan.
Read More →Guide to Gifting
6 minute read
Gifting lets you pass on money or assets during your lifetime. Learn the rules, inheritance and other tax implications of gifting and the potential financial benefits.
Read More →Discretionary Will Trusts
2 minute read
A Discretionary Will Trust lets trustees decide who benefits and when, protecting your loved ones from risk and offering long-term flexibility for changing needs.
Read More →Flexible Life Interest Will Trusts
3 minute read
A Flexible Life Interest Will Trust can be a way of supporting a partner for life while protecting assets for children later, offering flexibility, security and other potential tax benefits.
Read More →Property Protection Will Trust
2 minute read
A Property Protection Will Trust lets someone live in your home after you die while protecting your share from care fees, remarriage risks and future financial issues.
Read More →Vulnerable Persons Will Trust
2 minute read
A Vulnerable Persons Will Trust helps you protect a disabled or vulnerable loved one’s inheritance, safeguard their benefits, and ensure long-term support after you die.
Read More →Free Wills Month 2025
3 minute read
Learn about October Legacy Free Wills Month Autumn 2025. Write or update your will - paid for by Octopus Legacy's UK charity partners.
Read More →Waughs Customer Information
3 minute read
Waughs Solicitors has closed down its document storage service. Octopus Legacy has taken on the safe and secure storage of your documents on their behalf. Find out more here.
Read More →My Life Law
3 minute read
My Life Law and My Life Dox have joined Octopus Legacy. Octopus Legacy has taken on the safe and secure protection of customers documents.
Read More →A Guide to Probate
15 minute read
Complete 2026 guide to probate in England & Wales. Learn what probate is, when you need it, bank thresholds, application steps, and your options for getting help.
Read More →A Guide to a Modern Crypto Will
4 minute read
Octopus Legacy guide you through a modern will including how to leave cryptocurrency, NFT’s, Bitcoin, Ethereum and more in your will.
Read More →Your Guide to Legacy Marketing
3 minute read
Octopus Legacy has put together a beginner's guide to Legacy Marketing. Find out how to build a strategy, get internal buy-in and check out valuable resources.
Read More →Leaving a gift in your will
4 minute read
Unsure what a gift in will is, or what the pros and cons are? Find out here and learn how easy it is to include a gift in your will today.
Read More →Do you need Life Insurance for a Mortgage?
4 minute read
Octopus Legacy explain whether you need Life Insurance when you get a mortgage and why. Find out more about the pros and cons here.
Read More →Do my debts die with me?
14 minute read
Do your debts die with you in the UK? Learn which debts pass to your estate, what happens to joint debts, mortgages, and how to protect your family from inherited debt.
Read More →Can I take Life Insurance out on a celebrity or someone I don’t know?
3 minute read
Octopus Legacy lay out whether you can take out Life Insurance on behalf of someone else - a friend, a partner, or even a celebrity?
Read More →Death Admin
6 minute read
Octopus Legacy lay out the step-by-step process for two different kinds of death admin and explain how you can save time, money and stress so you can focus on what really matters.
Read More →Do you need a will if you don’t have any assets?
3 minute read
Octopus Legacy lay out who needs a will and who doesn't. Discover why wills can be useful and when you should think about writing them.
Read More →What can make a will invalid?
14 minute read
What can make a will invalid in the UK? Learn about the legal requirements, common mistakes that invalidate wills, and how marriage, divorce, and changes affect validity.
Read More →Conservatorship vs Deputyship vs Lasting Power of Attorney
14 minute read
Octopus Legacy outline the difference between conservatorship, deputyship and Lasting Power of Attorney.
Read More →Top professions with the highest cost of life insurance
3 minute read
Life insurance premiums are calculated according to risk - including the danger of your profession. Learn how your job can impact your life insurance cost here.
Read More →A Guide to Life Insurance for Smokers
4 minute read
Octopus Legacy explains all you need to know about life insurance for smokers. Can you still get it, and is it more expensive?
Read More →Can Life Insurance companies predict your age of death?
3 minute read
Life Insurance companies use data to calculate your average age of death. But does that mean they can predict when you'll die? Find out here.
Read More →Guide to creating your own Desert Island Disc
4 minute read
Ever listened to an episode of the famous BBC Radio Four Desert Island Discs and thought - what would my songs be? What would the people I love’s answers be? Time to stop wondering, and to have a bash at DIY-ing your own. It can be a way of connecting in new and surprising ways with the people you’re closest to, and it’s a beautiful gift to have when they’re gone.
Read More →Can you leave money to pets in a will?
4 minute read
Octopus Legacy explains all you need to know about including your pets in your will and how to provide for them once you’re gone.
Read More →SSB Customer Information
4 minute read
SSB Law has closed down its document storage service. Octopus Legacy has taken on its customers to ensure their documents are stored securely and can be accessed. Find out more here.
Read More →How to disinherit someone in your will
7 minute read
You can’t choose your family. And for some people relationships with family members can be complicated. This might mean that you’re considering disinheriting a relative in your will. Choosing to disinherit someone in your will is a big decision that should not be taken lightly. If you do decide that it is still the right choice for you we’ve laid out how to disinherit someone in your will below.
Read More →6 common mistakes to avoid with your will
3 minute read
Writing a will is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your loved ones. But even small errors can lead to disputes or make your will invalid. In this guide, we highlight the most common will-making mistakes and show you how to avoid them to ensure your wishes are carried out correctly.
Read More →A Guide to Will Storage
5 minute read
Learn about the benefits of professional will storage. Secure your legal documents from damage, loss or tampering in a professional will storage facility.
Read More →What Happens To My Social Media Accounts When I Die?
5 minute read
Octopus Legacy lays out what happens to your social media accounts when you die, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Read More →WHSmith Will Kit
4 minute read
The WHSmith DIY will kit is a basic will template for simple wills. We review this will pack and compare it to more comprehensive and reliable will alternatives.
Read More →Do I Need Life Insurance
4 minute read
Life Insurance can feel like a big commitment, not to mention an overwhelming task. But do you actually need Life Insurance? Find out more about who does and who doesn't need Life Insurance here.
Read More →How To Sign Your Lasting Power of Attorney Forms
2 minute read
Find out more about how to sign your Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) forms with our step-by-step guide.
Read More →Guide to Making a Will During Lockdown
4 minute read
A will needs to be signed in front of two independent witnesses, given current social distancing and lockdown rules, this is a more challenging task than usual.
Read More →What type of will do I need: a basic will or a bespoke will?
4 minute read
The type of will you need depends on what your wishes are & the size of your estate. Learn what type of will suits you: a basic will or a bespoke will.
Read More →A Guide to Inheritance Tax
16 minute read
A complete guide to inheritance tax in the UK. Current thresholds (£325,000 nil-rate band), exemptions, how to calculate IHT, and ways to reduce your liability.
Read More →What to do before applying for probate and paying Inheritance Tax
13 minute read
Essential steps to take before applying for probate. How to find the will, value the estate, calculate inheritance tax, and prepare your probate application.
Read More →How much does a Lasting Power of Attorney cost?
14 minute read
How much does a Lasting Power of Attorney cost in 2026? OPG registration fee (£92 per LPA), solicitor fees (£250 to £600+ VAT per LPA, excluding registration fees), and affordable alternatives from £699 for both LPAs, including registration fees.
Read More →Free Wills Month October 2020
6 minute read
Many of us around the UK take advantage of Free Wills Month to prepare and get peace of mind by writing a will. Read this if you're considering writing your will.
Read More →Executor of a will UK - what is an executor and what are their duties?
16 minute read
Find out more about the job of the executor and how they carry out a person's wishes according to their will.
Read More →Free & low-cost will writing - what're the options?
12 minute read
Free and low-cost will writing options in the UK. Compare solicitors, online services, DIY kits, charity schemes, and Will Aid to find the best value for your needs.
Read More →What is a beneficiary in a will?
14 minute read
What is a beneficiary in a will? Learn who can be a beneficiary, their rights, how to name them, and what happens if circumstances change after the will is made.
Read More →Wills for Couples - What Do You Need to Know?
14 minute read
Wills for couples in the UK: married, civil partners, and unmarried. Why couples need separate wills and how to protect each other and your children.
Read More →Mirror Wills & Joint Wills
11 minute read
Mirror wills vs joint wills: what's the difference? A UK guide to couple's wills, how they work, and which option is best for protecting your family.
Read More →How to Appoint a Legal Guardian in a Will
6 minute read
How to appoint a legal guardian for your children in your will. Choose the right person, understand parental responsibility, and protect your children's future.
Read More →Making a will in the UK: Complete Free Guide 2020
16 minute read
Everything you need to know about making a will in the UK. Free 2026 guide covering costs, what to include, legal requirements, and how to get started in 15 minutes.
Read More →Can you reduce inheritance tax by leaving a gift to charity?
4 minute read
Giving a gift to charity in your will helps them, but it also offers a host of personal benefits, including reducing inheritance tax. Find out more today.
Read More →Making a will at home: Coronavirus FAQs
3 minute read
The demand for getting a will sorted has risen given COVID-19. Here we try and answer some frequently asked questions.
Read More →What is a codicil to a will?
3 minute read
What is a codicil? Learn the definition, legal requirements, risks, and when writing a new will is a better option in England and Wales.
Read More →Who can witness a will?
2 minute read
After writing your will you need to sign it in front of two witnesses to make it legally binding. There are rules around who can and cannot witness a will.
Read More →When Should You Update Your Will
13 minute read
When should you update your will? The key life events that mean it's time to review — marriage, divorce, children, property, and more. Expert guidance on keeping your will current.
Read More →Responsibilities and Duties of an Executor
15 minute read
The complete guide to executor responsibilities and duties in the UK. What executors must do, their legal obligations, timelines, and where to get help.
Read More →How To Make a Will For Free
13 minute read
How to make a will for free in the UK. Explore Free Wills Month, charity schemes, and affordable alternatives. Complete guide to free and low-cost will writing options.
Read More →How To Find a Will
3 minute read
When someone close to you dies, you might not be sure if they have a will or not. There are ways you can try and find their will.
Read More →Can an Executor of a Will Also Be a Beneficiary?
2 minute read
In short, yes an executor can also be a beneficiary. This is a common question about wills that needs clearing up, read more to find out key differences.
Read More →3 Reasons To Write Or Change Your Will
5 minute read
Many of us don’t know when the right time to write or change a will is. We go over three key life events that mean you need a new or updated will.
Read More →What Happens If You Die Without A Will
15 minute read
What happens if you die without a will in the UK? Learn about intestacy rules, who inherits your estate, and why it costs families an average of £9,700.
Read More →Post Office DIY Will Kit
7 minute read
Post Office DIY Will Kits are technically legally binding when signed with a witness. However, DIY Post Office Will Kits can be tricky and it’s not for everyone. Learn more about Post Office DIY Will Kits and the other options out there to help work out what the best option is for you.
Read More →A Guide to Estate Administration After A Death
17 minute read
Complete guide to estate administration in England & Wales. The 6-step process from gathering assets to distributing the estate, including probate and inheritance tax.
Read More →What to do when someone dies: a step-by-step guide
15 minute read
A clear 7-step guide to what to do when someone dies in England & Wales. From registering the death to administering the estate, every practical step explained.
Read More →Step-by-Step Guide: Write your will with our Free Wills Campaign
4 minute read
Step-by-Step Guide: Write your will with our Free Wills Campaign
Read More →Succession Planning - A Guide for Will Writing Businesses
3 minute read
Ensure your will-writing business continues to thrive with a solid succession plan. Learn how to protect your clients, secure your legacy and exit on your terms.
Read More →What is probate
14 minute read
What is probate? A simple guide to the probate process in England & Wales — when you need it, how to apply, costs, timelines, and when you can handle it yourself.
Read More →
