Navigating Inheritance for Blended Families

Key Considerations Blended families are becoming increasingly common, presenting unique estate planning challenges, especially when children from previous relationships are involved. If you’ve remarried or entered a new partnership, careful planning is crucial to ensure that your assets pass fairly and smoothly to all your loved ones. According to the 2021 ONS census, 1.1 million […]

Gifting Your Home?

Understand the Tax Traps Parents often consider gifting their home to their children during their lifetime. They hope to manage their estate and reduce future tax bills. However, this seemingly generous act involves complex tax implications, especially for Inheritance Tax (IHT) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT). Understanding these nuances is crucial to avoid unforeseen financial […]

Navigating A Remortgage

When to Bring in Legal Expertise Remortgaging your home can be a smart financial move, potentially securing a better interest rate, releasing equity, or changing your mortgage terms. However, as you explore your options, a question we are often asked is: Do you need to engage a lawyer for this process? The short answer is […]

Don’t Let Your LPAs Gather Dust

Why Regular Reviews are Crucial You’ve made a responsible decision. You’ve planned for the future by creating a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) – or perhaps an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) if it was set up before October 2007. These vital legal documents allow you to appoint trusted individuals (your Attorneys) to make decisions […]

Practicalities of Keeping Your Conveyancing Moving

Moving home is often cited as one of life’s most stressful events, and a significant part of that stress can arise from the conveyancing process. While your lawyer plays a crucial role in navigating the legal complexities, there are practical steps you, as the client, can take to help ensure things keep moving forward. Everyone […]

Understanding Loss of Capacity Without an LPA

When a loved one’s mental capacity declines, it’s incredibly tough. If they haven’t set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA), the next step often involves the Court of Protection. We frequently discuss this with our clients, so here’s a clear look at the Court’s role and what deputies are responsible for in these sensitive […]

Beyond The Show Home

Essential Tips for Buying a New-Build Property Purchasing a new-build home presents a world of exciting possibilities, from selecting your ideal decor to being the very first occupant and enjoying the peace of mind that comes with fewer immediate repair concerns and lower maintenance costs. However, navigating the new-build market does pose some unique considerations […]

The Case of Liam Payne and the Perils of Intestacy

Who Decides Your Legacy? The recent and untimely death of Liam Payne serves as a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be and just how important it is to have a Will in place. Despite his enormous success and public fame, Liam sadly passed away without a valid Will, leaving an estate valued at […]

Generation Skip. Can Will Variations Help?

Losing a loved one is a profoundly emotional experience. As you navigate the practicalities that follow, you might be surprised to learn that even after someone makes a Will, there’s a mechanism that allows its terms to be altered. This is a Deed of Variation, and beneficiaries can use it as a powerful tool to […]

Achieving a Stress-Free Property Move

Buying or selling a house is a thrilling prospect, but let’s be honest, it can also feel a little daunting. Navigating the legalities and potential pitfalls can add unnecessary stress to what should be an exciting time. The good news is, whether you’re taking your first step onto the property ladder or moving onto a […]

Refusing an Inheritance

Understanding Disclaimers The recent court case, White v Williams [2025] EWHC 115 (Ch), has highlighted a common problem in dealing with Wills: what happens when someone doesn’t want their inheritance? This case, involving the estate of the late Elfed Williams, highlights the potential for ambiguity and dispute when informal communications are relied upon to establish […]

Unpacking the Government’s Commonhold Revolution

What the White Paper Means for You The Government’s recently released white paper outlining significant reforms to commonhold ownership signalled its intention to move forward with legislation as quickly as possible. The reforms aim to empower leaseholders and provide a viable alternative to the often-problematic leasehold system. This move sparked considerable discussion within the property […]

The Unforeseen Reality of Intestacy

Dying Without a Will We often hear about the importance of having a Will, but what happens when life takes an unexpected turn and there isn’t one? It’s a scenario far more common than many realise. Here, the law steps in, but its framework—known as the rules of intestacy—can lead to outcomes that might surprise […]

The Alarming Rise of Property Fraud

Is Your Home at Risk? The dream of homeownership is a cornerstone of British life. But what if that dream turned into a nightmare, not through leaky pipes or noisy neighbours, but through the insidious and devastating crime of property fraud? Sadly, this is a growing reality in the UK. So, homeowners need to be […]

Switching from Joint Tenants to Tenants in Common

Usually, couples who buy a house together do so as joint tenants. This means they both own the whole property, and ownership automatically transfers to the survivor when one dies. However, circumstances may lead couples to consider changing ownership to ‘tenants in common’. And how you hold a property can have significant legal and financial […]

Tying the Knot and Tying Up Loose Ends

Inheritance Tax and Your Spouse or Civil Partner For many couples, marriage or civil partnership celebrates love and commitment. However, beyond this emotional bond, we often overlook vital legal and financial implications, especially inheritance tax (IHT). Understanding these implications is essential for ensuring your assets pass to loved ones as you wish and for easing […]

Choose Your Executors Wisely

An Executor’s Responsibility is Not to be Taken Lightly Planning for the future is never easy, but it’s crucial to ensure your wishes are respected and your loved ones are protected. A key part of this planning involves appointing executors in your Will. Executors are responsible for administering your estate after you’re gone, which requires […]

Why You Need Lasting Powers of Attorney, Whatever Your Age

It’s easy to think serious illnesses or accidents only happen to others. But unexpected events can occur at any age, potentially leaving us unable to make decisions for ourselves. This is where Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) become essential, and everyone, regardless of age, should consider them. LPAs aren’t just for older individuals; impairment can […]

The Key to Your Dream Home

The Process of Buying a House Embarking on the journey to homeownership in the UK? While the idea of cosy evenings and decorating dreams is appealing, the reality involves careful planning and execution. Here, we’ve set out a clear roadmap, outlining the key steps to make your house purchase as smooth as possible. Laying the […]

Court Upholds Mother’s Best Interests in LPA Decision

A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a vital legal tool that allows you to appoint someone you trust to make crucial decisions for you if you become unable to do so. This provides peace of mind for you and your loved ones. However, the recent case of Norfolk County Council v CA and others […]