Changes To Stamp Duty – What Do They Mean?

From 22nd November 2017, anyone buying their first home priced up to £300,000 will not pay stamp duty. Stamp duty relief (also known as SDLT) will also be available on the first £300,000 of the purchase price of properties up to £500,000. This is largely aimed at reducing costs for first-time buyers in highly-priced areas, such as…

Beware – The DWP Can Recover Benefit Overpayments From An Estate

When someone dies it’s the executor’s responsibility to distribute the estate in accordance with the terms of the deceased’s will. During the process, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) may write to the executor requesting details of the deceased’s assets and liabilities.  DWP requests As a matter of course, it may take time for pension payments…

What Are Deathbed Gifts And When Are They Legal?

A deathbed gift can override the usual formalities for making a will. This gift, by a dying person, is formally known as Donatio Mortis Causa. This year, in a fascinating case, an 84 year old man, Stephen Keeling, was prevented from inheriting a house that he claimed was a deathbed gift from his elderly sister Ellen…

Beware – DWP Can Recover Benefit Overpayments From A Person’s Estate

The average annual cost of nursing care is over £40,000. So schemes that aim to avoid you having to sell your home to fund care fees, are big business. But be careful, if you take this route, you could be accused of deliberate deprivation. Funding Care If you or your loved one reaches the point…

Are You Eligible For A Nursing Care Refund?

Thousands of people across the UK need to receive long term care due to disability, accident or illness. The NHS funds the full cost of this care to those who are eligible. However, many are unaware that they may have paid for care unnecessarily and may be eligible for nursing care refunds. NHS Continuing Healthcare Funding…

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