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Funeral Arrangements & Burial Disputes
It’s not uncommon (especially during the pandemic) for families to fall out over funeral arrangements or possession of a loved one’s ashes. So, who has the ultimate say, and what can you do? The Law Legally, a deceased person is not property – no one owns a body. Therefore, a body can’t be gifted or disposed…
continue readingCourt of Protection Will Only Intervene If Person Lacks Capacity
The Court of Protection (COP) has a broad remit to make decisions about health and welfare and financial issues affecting vulnerable people. However, the recent case PH v Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reminds us that the COP will only intervene in a person’s best interests if there is reason to believe that the person…
continue readingGround Rents & Leasehold Reform Bill
The long-awaited Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-2022 (the Act) received Royal Assent in early February. Following widespread public outcry caused by the leasehold scandal, industry experts have widely welcomed the legislation as a positive step in addressing leasehold reform. The new Act restricts ground rent charges on newly created long leases of houses and flats…
continue readingWhat’s involved in Court of Protection proceedings?
It can be stressful to find yourself involved in Court of Protection proceedings, especially when it’s unfamiliar territory for you. The Court of Protection was set up to safeguard vulnerable people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves. These decisions may relate to the person’s finances or their health and welfare. When…
continue readingProperty Ownership & Severing A Joint Tenancy
One of the first things a lawyer will discuss when you buy a property together is the difference between owning the house as joint tenants or tenants in common. And they will tell you that when it comes to planning your estate, how you own or ‘hold’ your property makes a difference. Severing A Joint…
continue readingUnravelling The Mysteries of Probate
To many, probate is a bit of a mystery. First, there’s the classic scene we see in dramas where close family arrives at the lawyer’s office for the reading of the Will. Then the lawyer reveals that no one inherits what they expect. There are so many myths and misconceptions about the probate process, including…
continue readingUnderstanding The Process of Buying a House
Understanding the process of buying a house, especially when it’s your first time, is far from easy. It can seem long-winded and shrouded in legal jargon. So, if you can get your head around the basics of buying a house, you’re less likely to be taken by surprise. It might even become a pleasurable experience.…
continue readingDying Without a Will: How Intestacy May Affect You
If someone dies without a Will or if their Will is not valid, they will die ‘intestate’. The rules of intestacy apply to assets, Investments, and personal belongings a person leaves behind – otherwise known as their Estate. What relatives or beneficiaries inherit is affected by the intestacy rules and distributed according to a fixed…
continue readingWhy You Must Make a Lasting Power of Attorney
Lawyers are always talking about the benefits of making a Will. But, of course, in drawing up your Will, you’re making provision for those you care about after you die. But too few appreciate why they must also make a Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). Let’s face it, few of us like to think about…
continue readingStopping a Property Chain from Collapsing
Everything is set and you’re ready to move. But then, someone pulls out and the whole property chain is at risk of collapsing. It seems moving into the house of your dreams is dependent on other transactions running smoothly. Property chains are common, even if you’re a first-time buyer. It’s likely that the person selling…
continue readingYour Will & Reducing Inheritance Tax
Last autumn, HMRC released its new Inheritance Tax (IHT) revenue figures for payments received in 2021. The government collected a record of £5.4bn death duties, with July reaching the peak when a record £571 million was received. This unprecedented rise in IHT revenue is due to several things. Increased house prices, coronavirus deaths, delays in…
continue readingMarriage, Divorce and Your Will
Modern relationships are complicated. Divorce and remarriage are commonplace. As your circumstances change, so too should your Will. It’s essential your Will accurately reflects your wishes so that your beneficiaries receive what you want them to. So, how does marriage, separation and divorce affect your Will? What steps can you take to preserve your Estate…
continue readingLiving Together & Owning a Property
Joint Tenants -vs- Tenants In Common – Which Arrangement is Best? Out of 19.1 million families in the UK in 2018, 3.3 million were living together. That’s an increase of over 25% in the last decade. Yet, from a legal standpoint, it can be confusing what your rights are when you live and buy a…
continue readingPreventing Property Title Fraud
The Fraud Advisory Panel, HM Land Registry and the Law Society of England and Wales have produced a new guide to help homeowners prevent property title fraud. Unfortunately, property title fraud is real. Houses are sold and furnishings removed without the owner’s knowledge. Take the recently reported case involving Mr Hall, who drove home to…
continue readingShould You Consider an Online Will?
Everyone should prepare for the inevitable. But, unfortunately, the growing popularity of online Will writing means that many of those who get around to sorting their Will, opt for what appears to be the cheaper, easier option rather than arranging to see a lawyer. Changing Times The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we live…
continue readingWhy DIY Wills Can Cost A Fortune
Pitfalls of Do It Yourself Wills DIY Wills are very tempting. And easy to find. Check online and you’ll be able to download a form and complete a Will in less than an hour. In some cases, for less than £10. But in writing a Will for yourself, you could end up leaving your family…
continue readingBeing an Executor Carries Responsibility & Risk
Acting as an Executor is not a job to be taken lightly. Being asked may be flattering, but the role carries a great deal of responsibility and significant risk in certain circumstances. By law, an Executor is responsible for dealing with the administration of the deceased person’s Estate. The job involves sorting out the property,…
continue readingTrusts and Protecting Your Assets
We’ve written a few articles about the government’s planned increases in probate fees. A plan which, if implemented as intended, has been dubbed a ‘stealth tax’. Unsurprisingly, amid widespread condemnation, we’ve seen a marked increase in enquiries from clients about the potential benefits of setting up trusts. Can this approach mitigate inheritance tax liability and increased…
continue readingDeathbed Gifts and Your Estate
The Coronavirus pandemic has driven many to think more about organising their Estate after they die. Undoubtedly, you stand the best chance of your wishes being carried out if you make a Will. But surveys show that fewer than 50% of the UK’s adult population have done so. However, circumstances change very quickly (especially during…
continue readingDivorce & The Inheritance Act
The Inheritance Act 1975 gives certain people the legal right to make a claim against a person’s estate for ‘reasonable financial provision’. However, a recent case, Sismey v Salandron, is the first-ever where this type of claim has reached trial. And it’s widely believed that the decision made in this case will affect estates involving…
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