Page 66 • The HERALD • 12th March 2026 v THE HERALD - Proud to be part of your community v ASK A PROFESSIONAL 100 YEARS OF THE INTESTACY RULES Advice from Jasper Vincent Solicitors is year marks the 100th anniversary of the Intestacy Rules coming into force in England. Many clients have heard of the rules, but don’t know in detail how they apply and operate. Essentially the Intestacy Rules ensure that if a person dies without a valid Will, then there is a straightforward process to follow to identify who handles the estate and who inherits the assets. Interestingly, the Intestacy Rules also ensure that people who die with errors or gaps in their Wills have them dealt with appropriately. For instance, if someone makes a Will and all of their executors die before them, then the Intestacy Rules would plug the unexpected gap. In that respect, the rules are looked at like a legal safety net when Wills and Probate are at stake. Broadly speaking, the Intestacy Rules will look to appoint and distribute to the next nearest available relative to the person who has died. First are surviving spouses, then children, then parents, then siblings, then “half-blood siblings”, then grandparents, then “wholeblood” aunts and uncles, then “half-blood” aunts and uncles, and last of all would be the Crown. If you have ever watched the TV programme Heir Hunters, then you know that they are usually using the Intestacy Rules to nd someone to inherit the estate of the day. For many people, however, the Intestacy Rules don’t quite suit their needs. If someone has badly fallen out with their family, then they may not want their children or siblings to inherit their estate. In those cases, it’s important to make sure that your Will is t for purpose so that the Intestacy Rules never need to kick into e ect. It is also worth pointing out that the Intestacy Rules completely discriminate against unmarried couples. For those who have been in long term relationships, but never tied the knot, it is crucial to ensure that your Will is up to date. For an initial Will or probate consultation, feel free to contact Solicitor & Partner Angela Pelleschi or Senior Associate Solicitor Edward Kennard at Jasper Vincent’s Waterside o ce on: 023 8089 0919 or email:waterside@ jaspervincent.com Local Companies Reaping Rewards From New AI Courses Local companies in Hampshire are reaping the rewards from two new AI courses for absolute beginners – both accredited by leading professional body the British Computer Society (BCS). Step8Up Academy rolled out its beginner-friendly ‘AI Essentials’ course and its more advanced ‘AI Foundations’ course and has seen a surge in January sign-ups. Built for both curious business professionals and skilled IT professionals to take their rst steps with AI, the interactive courses can be accessed anywhere in the UK and give learners a globally recognised certi cate in AI from the BCS. CEO of Step8Up Academy Jeev Sahoo said: “Many professionals aren’t embracing AI simply because they don’t feel they have a strong enough grasp on it. Everyone has to start somewhere with any new subject, and that’s what these courses are for. There are no entry requirements and instructors always use plain English when delivering the courses, so it’s ideal for those who are starting from scratch. “Whether you want to be able to speak more confidently about AI or if you’re looking to apply it to your organisation’s day-to-day processes, our courses give you the knowledge and skills you need to work with AI confidently. This is an exciting new technology making a big difference to so many across the globe, and there’s even more on the horizon!” Step8Up board member David Boddy said: “The course is designed to be practical, instructor-led AI training learners can apply immediately. It’s especially useful for non-technical users, and unlike other online courses, it will keep the whole team engaged and moving.” AI training
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=