YES. The Government has confirmed it’s important people can continue to make wills notwithstanding the Corona Virus outbreak. They must be executed in a safe manner which has regard to social distancing. You can leave your home to witness a friend or neighbour’s will but ideally this should not ... Read More >>
Looking after your health and finances during the Corona Virus – and beyond
A lot of us have been home a while and are slowing working through those list of household jobs we meant to get around to, but the weekend always went by so quickly. Many people have a will on their list, (we have prepared a separate note on what happens if you don’t have one) particularly when ... Read More >>
Time to make a will?
The sun is out, the children are noisy and most of us have managed to buy a few rolls of toilet paper! It wasn’t the first thing which came to mind as the current crises unfolded but these are strange times. Many of us are stuck at home with the opportunity to tackle some of those tasks which we ... Read More >>
Settlement Agreements and Redundancy
Settlement Agreements – formally known as Compromise Agreements – are often offered in redundancy situations. You can negotiate the terms of the agreement, or even refuse it altogether, if it’s in your best interests. What is a Settlement Agreement? A Settlement Agreement is a contract between an ... Read More >>
Buying a Property with your Parents
While this can work well, it’s a good idea to consider some of the issues which may arise before you go into it. Nigel George partner in charge of the Estates department explains more. In this age of “generation rent” buying a property with your parents may seem to be one way of resolving the ... Read More >>
Section 21 Notices Could Be Abolished
Evicting tenants by way of section 21 Notices could be abolished in England under the Renters’ Reform Bill, making it harder for landlords to evict tenants without good reason. The background In July 2019, the Government published a consultation titled ‘A New Deal for Renting’. It suggested ways ... Read More >>
Mental Capacity and Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPA’)
The Mental Capacity Act 2005 provides that a person is presumed to have mental capacity until it’s proved to the contrary. In other words, you don’t have to prove you have it others have to prove you don’t. Mental capacity means you have the ability to make your own decisions. This means you can ... Read More >>
What Happens if You Don’t Make a Lasting Power of Attorney?
If you do not make a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) and you lose mental capacity, your loved ones must apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order. This is because no one automatically has the power to manage your affairs – not even your spouse. Lasting Powers of Attorney The purpose ... Read More >>
Buying the Freehold of a Flat
If you are fed up with paying ground rent on your flat, you could consider buying the freehold. This would mean you own both the property and the land on which it is built, giving you total control. Leasehold and freehold explained If you are not too sure what we mean by this, then let us explain. ... Read More >>
New Article on Pension and Divorce
"Case law suggests that, more often than not, non-pension assets will be divided in a way that is not equal" ... Read More >>