Flude & Associates

12/05/2026

https://www.willwriters.com/blog/probate-delays-on-the-rise-what-this-means-and-how-to-reduce-the-risk/

Recent reports have highlighted a significant increase in probate delays across England and Wales, with some estates taking far longer than expected to administer.

05/05/2026

Small business owners looking to sell their business or interest in a business as part of their retirement planning will be glad to know that meaningful tax relief has been provided for them in the 2026 National Budget. Among other measures to support businesses, National Treasury raised the capital gains tax exemption for the sale of a small business for older persons (55+) from R1.8 million to R2.7 million, a long-overdue adjustment for inflation and rising asset values.

The higher exemption also applies to more businesses than it did before. Where small businesses used to be defined as those valued at R10 million or less, the limit has been increased to R15 million.

Find out if you and your business qualify…

If you’re a small business owner aged 55 or older, the 2026 Budget contained some very good news. Not only has the CGT exemption on the sale of small business by older persons been increased, but the definition of “small business” has also been expanded. This could make a big difference to you...

03/05/2026

In progress…

01/05/2026

“[Under South African Law], certain agreements are excluded from The Electronic Communications and Transactions Act 25 of 2002 (“ECTA”) recognition of electronic signatures. Consequently, such agreements still require traditional “wet-ink” signatures to be valid. These include:

* The ex*****on of a will or codicil;
* The sale of immovable property;
* Long-term leases of land (exceeding 20 years); and
* Bills of exchange.

Furthermore, some forms of agreements carry specific statutory formalities that require strict compliance. One such example is a Suretyship Agreement.”

Read more…

Electronic Signatures and Statutory Formalities

01/05/2026

An interesting and helpful article on the state of affairs.

By Mrs Bernelee VenterAdmitted attorney (non-practising) | Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants South Africa now allows certain former citizens to restore their citizenship following a Constitutional Court ruling. Learn about the reinstatement process and the legal requirement for South Africans to....

29/04/2026

Truth!

28/04/2026

This is important for anyone who owns an immovable property in the UK - residents and non-residents alike.

This will only get worse with the APR/BPR changes and the taxing of pensions from 2027. Speak to your legal, tax, and financial advisors on all of this.

What about a SIPP owning an immovable property?

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is increasingly challenging residential property valuations in inheritance tax returns rather than accepting them at “face value”. The number of cases referred to the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) rose 23.5% in the last year, according to research from TWM Solicitors,...

27/04/2026

24/04/2026

A complex inheritance dispute following the death of Irene Chung, who died intestate in 2016, highlights a growing trend in wealth litigation. With no will in place, her estate was to be divided among her three children, but son Robert Chung has raised legal challenges that underscore the risks of intestacy.

As wealth disputes experts warn that these types of sibling-led legal battles are set to become more frequent, the case serves as a cautionary tale for professionals in the wills and probate sector regarding the importance of legacy planning.

A case involving the estate of a woman who died 11 years ago without leaving a will has exposed legal issues likely to become more common, says a wealth disputes expert. Irene Chung died intestate in 2016, with her estate to be split between her three children. But son Robert Chung (pictured) claims...

01/04/2026

*BIG NEWS FROM FLUDE & ASSOCIATES*

NEW SERVICE - SUBSCRIPTION WILLS

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Introducing Will+ — the world’s first subscription Will service.

✅ Easy sign up process
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✅ Add / delete beneficiaries like Netflix profiles
✅ “Skip intro” for funeral instructions
✅ Discuss Guardians & Executors via Group Chat
✅ Voice Notes to update Wills instead of Codicils

We are launching this revolutionary Will+ service on 01 April in partnership with Netflix. Stay tuned for more information!