Selling your house this year – how can you best prepare?

It’s a new year when many of us re-evaluate our lives and consider making changes, such as selling our homes. Whether you’re looking to cash in, downsize, relocate to a more desirable area, or move closer to a good school, January can be an advantageous time to sell. The market is typically less competitive, meaning […]

Probate fee hike unlawful?

Changes to Probate Fees Starting in April 2019, the government plans to increase probate fees based on estate value. Despite widespread criticism, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) confirmed these controversial changes in November. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) and the Joint Select Committee on Statutory Instruments have criticised the MoJ, […]

How long will it take me to buy a house?

How long does it take to buy a house? Like most purchases, buying a house can be straightforward, but it often isn’t. Many factors can complicate the process. The timeline varies greatly, regardless of your circumstances or how prepared you are. The best answer to “How long?” is often, “It depends.” There are no official […]

Is Your Will Watertight?

Do you assume your Will is watertight and your wishes will be followed simply because you’ve made one? Unfortunately, Will disputes are increasingly common due to the complexities of modern life. Diverse family structures, frequent divorces, and various domestic situations all contribute to legal battles over inheritances. A recent Telegraph article reported a case where Raymond […]

Equity Release on the rise – but be very careful!

Equity release is becoming a popular way for over-55s to supplement their retirement income as people live longer after retirement. However, specialist financial advice is crucial, especially given recent calls for stricter regulations. Professor Kevin Dowd’s report suggests that falling property prices could make equity release loans unprofitable for providers, potentially leading to significant losses […]

Life Interest Trust: How to keep your property in the right hands after death

Most of us want to ensure our property goes to the right people after we die. This becomes especially important if you are in a second marriage or if your children do not get along. The Risk of a Standard Will A standard Will usually leaves your entire estate to your surviving partner. After they […]

Statutory Wills – what are they for?

Statutory Wills offer robust protection for vulnerable people, protecting them from potential contentious claims after they die. When someone who has not made a Will loses mental capacity, it is possible to apply to the Court to make a Statutory Will. Establishing what will happen to their home and valuables, including money, when they haven’t been […]

The Help to Buy scheme – is it for everyone?

Launched in April 2013, the government’s Help to Buy Scheme was introduced to help first-time buyers get a foot on to the property ladder. Heralded by many as an enormous success story, the value of properties sold in the first 4 years reached £39.28 billion. And, according to official government statistics, most of the home […]

Making a Will. What are you waiting for?

According to a recent survey by Macmillan Cancer Support, two in every three UK citizens haven’t made a Will. And, worryingly, over 1.5m people may have unknowingly made their Wills void by getting married. Furthermore, at least 20% of those surveyed admitted they planned to update their wills to include children and grandchildren but hadn’t got […]

Free Wills. Read the small print – it can cost thousands if you don’t!

Free wills. Too good to be true? Offering to prepare wills for free, or for a small fee. It’s common practice. The deals sound harmless enough. Until you look at the small print. Take High Street banks as a case in point. According to latest news reports, it’s estimated over 1.5m wills have been written […]

My father left a will – do I need to apply for probate?

It’s a misnomer that Probate is not needed when someone has left a will. If the Estate is valued above the Probate threshold and the assets were held in the deceased person’s sole name, then Probate will be needed. Where do I start? 1. By finding the will. There is no legal obligation to register […]

‘Blended’ Families – Who Takes Priority When It Comes to Inheritance?

The Office for National Statistics reported 27.2 million households in the UK in 2017. While the most common type is a single family (with or without children), multi-family households are the fastest growing. Over a third of couples raising children today have a step-child living with them. It’s no surprise, then, that “blended” or step-families […]

We’ve just bought a new house but should we change the locks?

Moving house is a stressful time. Understandably, changing the locks is likely to be low of the lists of your priorities. However, according to the Office of National Statistics, those who move house are twice as likely to be burgled in the first year of living there. It’s highly likely that you will have no […]

Internet Security: Are You Protected Online?

There’s no denying the world is changing. And the internet has (until very recently) created business and social networks that widely interconnect. Undeniably, the volume of personal and corporate data stored and requested online has made it fertile ground for high-level cyber-attacks, state-sponsored espionage or technically adept criminals. In terms of stats, according to last […]

Can you claim a Power of Attorney Refund?

It may be that you are one of the estimated 2 million people who are entitled to claim a refund for registration fee overpayment. The scheme, launched by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) in February 2018, applies to both lasting powers or attorney (LPA) and enduring powers of attorney (EPA) that were made in England […]

Rules for Renting: What Landlords Must Do

Renting out property is not uncommon. However, it’s surprising how many landlords aren’t aware of their legal obligations, leaving themselves exposed to unnecessary risk. Landlord Obligations  If you rent out a property, in the eyes of the law, you are classed as a landlord. Landlords are legally obliged to look after their tenants and the […]

Are You Facing an Inheritance Tax Bill You Didn’t Plan For?

No one wants to pay inheritance tax (IHT) unnecessarily. However, navigating your way through the complicated rules on your own is not likely to help. According to recent reports in the press, hundreds of families may be left with an unexpected inheritance tax bill to pay as a result of misinterpreting these rules. Especially the […]

What is the difference between a Deputy and an Attorney?

A Lasting Power of Attorney and Court of Protection Deputy are individuals who have been legally appointed to deal with the affairs of a person who lacks mental capacity. An Attorney and a Court Deputy can both make decisions about financial or health matters on a person’s behalf. However, whilst their responsibilities are similar, the […]

Electronic Wills – Fantasy Or Reality?

Protecting our privacy in the digital age has never been more critical. However, electronic wills may soon become a reality. An estimated 40% of adults in the UK still don’t have wills. Nevertheless, most of us recognise that we should really do it. One of the main reasons for not making a will is being […]

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 (SDLT) will also be available on the first £300,000 of the purchase price of properties up to £500,000. This is primarily aimed at reducing costs for first-time buyers in highly-priced areas, such as London. What Is […]

Partnerships & Accreditations