Azuri Legal

16/12/2025

Wills vs LPAs – Know the Difference!

Will: Decides who gets your money, property, and possessions after you pass away. You can also appoint guardians for kids.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Lets someone make health or financial decisions for you while you’re alive, if you can’t.

Key takeaway: Wills cover after death, LPAs cover while alive. Both are essential for peace of mind!

20/05/2025

We recently met with a client who wanted to draft a will without informing his spouse. It's not an uncommon request, but it's always a moment that calls for careful discussion.

In the meeting, we explained the legal and emotional implications of making such a decision. While individuals have the right to create their own wills, doing so in secret—especially in a marriage—can lead to:

💥 Surprises that strain family trust
⚖️ Potential legal challenges after death
🏠 Unintended consequences for jointly owned assets

Estate planning isn’t just about documents—it’s about values, relationships, and clarity. When done transparently, it strengthens families and reduces future conflict.

In the end, we agreed to revisit the conversation with his spouse involved, ensuring that both voices are part of the legacy planning process.

💬 If you're thinking about your estate plan, we encourage open communication—it's one of the most powerful tools you have.

11/05/2025

If you lose mental capacity and don’t have a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, several important consequences follow:

1. No One Can Automatically Act for You

- Even close family members cannot automatically manage your finances or make health decisions on your behalf. Banks, healthcare providers, and government agencies will not accept instructions from them without legal authority.

2. Court of Protection Involvement (in the UK)

- Someone (usually a family member or close friend) must apply to the Court of Protection to become your deputy. This process:

- Can be slow (often taking several months),

- Is expensive (initial and ongoing fees),

- Involves more oversight than an LPA, with annual reports and possibly security bonds.

3. You Don’t Choose Your Deputy

- The court decides who is appointed as your deputy. It may not be the person you would have chosen.

4. Limited Control and Flexibility

- Deputies often have less power than an attorney appointed via LPA, and must seek court approval for certain decisions.

Would you like help understanding how to set up an LPA or the difference between the financial and health types?

11/05/2025

🔍 English Wills vs. Islamic Wills: Understanding the Key Differences

When it comes to estate planning, it's crucial to understand the distinctions between an English Will and an Islamic Will, especially for Muslims living in the UK. Here's a breakdown:

🏛️ English Wills

Freedom of Distribution: You have the liberty to leave your estate to anyone, regardless of familial ties.

Legal Framework: Governed by English law, focusing on the individual's wishes and the legal rights of heirs.

Tax Considerations: Inheritance tax planning is a significant aspect, with potential exemptions and reliefs available.

🕌 Islamic Wills (Wasiyyah)

Sharia Compliance: Must align with Islamic inheritance laws as outlined in the Qur'an and Hadith.

Fixed Shares: At least two-thirds of the estate must be distributed among prescribed heirs (e.g., children, spouse) according to fixed Islamic shares.

One-Third Discretion: Up to one-third of the estate can be allocated to non-heirs, such as charities, provided it doesn't infringe upon the rights of obligatory heirs.

Executor Requirements: The appointed executor (wasi) should ideally be a Muslim to ensure adherence to Islamic principles.

Legal Validity in the UK: For an Islamic Will to be recognized under UK law, it must be in writing, signed, and witnessed in accordance with English legal requirements .

⚖️ Key Considerations

Dual Compliance: It's essential to ensure that your Will complies with both Islamic law and UK legal standards to prevent potential conflicts or legal challenges.

Inheritance Tax: While Islamic Wills focus on equitable distribution, UK inheritance tax laws may still apply, necessitating careful planning.

Professional Guidance: Consulting with solicitors experienced in both Islamic and UK inheritance laws can help navigate the complexities and ensure your wishes are honored.

Understanding these differences is vital for effective estate planning. If you have questions or need assistance in drafting a Will that aligns with your values and legal requirements, feel free to reach out.

09/05/2025

Question: I am married with a son and a daughter, can I do an Islamic will excluding my husband and giving my estate to my children equally?

Answer: Yes, you can, but this would no longer be called an "Islamic will" because it wouldn't be following the Islamic inheritance laws. Not only that, excluding your husband would most probably mean he would make a claim on your estate following your death, even more so if you are making this will without him knowing.

Will writing can be very simple, but it rarely is. Always get legal and Islamic advice when considering anything like the above.

We can help, so don't hesitate to contact us.

21/03/2022

20/03/2022

If you are a Telegraph Newspaper reader, check out our feature in todays Retirement, Finance & Legal section. We are proud to feature in The Telegraph.

09/03/2022

Q: What is Inheritance Tax?
A: Inheritance Tax is a tax on the estate (the property, money and possessions) of someone who’s died.

Q: How much do I have to pay?
A: 40% on any assets over £325,000, that's right, 40%!!!

Q: Is there a way to mitigate this tax?
A: Yes, contact us for advice on how to do so.

08/03/2022

Our Prophet PBUH could not have made it clearer when he said:

"It is the duty of a Muslim who has anything to bequest not to let two nights pass without writing a will about it" - Sahih al-Bukhari

Most of us are aware of this hadith, but choose to ignore this clear instruction. If you are one of those, ask yourself WHY?

If the answer is "I have nothing to leave as inheritance" then you need to know that a will does not only mention your assets, it can also address funeral arrangements, guardianship for minor children, organ donation, debts, tax implications, personal belongings, businesses, and much more.

If the answer is "i cannot afford to do a will", get in touch and we promise we will work something out for you.

With the month of mercy on our doorstep, lets fulfil this forgotten Sunnah while we have the means to do so.

Call us today for advice on 01772 349319

04/03/2022

As you may know, we have now changed our Brand from Maplebrook Wills to Azuri Legal.

This change will not affect any of the services we provide and we are open as usual.

Just a recap of some of the services we have on offer this month:

- Will Writing (Including Islamic Wills)
- Lasting Powers of Attorney
- Trusts
- Funeral Plans
- Probate
- Inheritance Tax Planning
- Secure Document Storage

Call us on 01772 349319 to book a FREE consultation.

Thank you for your continued support.

02/03/2022

Good Afternoon,

Firstly, we want to start by thanking you for your continued support and business. You previously have known us as Maplebrook Wills, but now we are excited to announce a change of Brand.

Our Humble Beginning:

We got into the Will Writing and Estate Planning industry to provide a Will Writing experience that is of a high standard from start to finish. We now believe we have accomplished that by establishing a high quality client journey.

2022 and Beyond:

After a few years of exciting growth and bringing the knowledge and expertise into out company, we needed to update our brand and messaging to better reflect who we are and what we have to offer.

So, we are excited to share with you, our new brand, Azuri Legal.

The New Logo:

Representing the light that we shed on the Will Writing and Estate Planning industry, our new logo conveys the insight and empowerment that we provide.

The New Website:

On 1st March, we are launching our brand new website, consistent with the new brand and direction. This will aid us in offering our clients the high standard of service that we promise.

The New Message:

Azuri Legal has a key message that we wish to portray to all our stakeholder. That message revolves around “Planning Ahead” for yourself, your loved ones, your assets, your business, and leaving a legacy that is unforgettable.

Proactive Partnerships:

We aim to not only support our clients with Estate Planning needs, but also support those individuals and businesses that require other legal and financial services through our partners. Including but not limited to, Funeral Planning, Pensions, Mortgages, Investments and conveyancing services.

Whats next?:

We would like to assure our clients that this is a progressive step in the right direction. If you have used our services before, we will ensure that you are not affected by this change. From a legal perspective, your documents remain legally binding and we will continue to serve your needs going forward.

In the meantime, check out our new website next week, and please get in touch if you have any questions or concerns. We will be more than happy to help.

Best Wishes

Hassan Ali
Founder and Owner