DIY Is Not Always The Best Way Forward The number of cases being heard in the High Court relating to inheritance disputes has risen sharply in recent years from 227 in 2018 to 368 in 2019, largely as a result of DIY Wills which are riddled with errors. These have usually been drafted by people […]
> BUYING & SELLING PROPERTY TIPS AND ADVICE The Government has recently published a comprehensive guide to buying your home, and it contains lots of useful information whether you’re a first-time buyer, downsizing post-retirement, or somewhere in between Download the How to Buy Guide [825kb pdf] There are sections which deal with, for example, applying for […]
When you work with a divorce lawyer there are things you can do to make the process easier for both of you. We’ve listed 5 things that you should never say to your divorce lawyer to smooth the relationship. 1. “I get paid cash in hand” The phrase “cash in hand” strikes fear into the […]
> BUYING & SELLING PROPERTY TIPS AND ADVICE What is conveyancing, how long does it take, and what can go wrong? There has been much media coverage about the decline in homeownership, the rise of private renting, and general affordability issues when it comes to owning your own property. Despite the dreary tidings, owning a home of […]
Does a Settlement Agreement protect an employer forever? Many people will have signed a Settlement Agreement with their former employer which contained a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) or ‘gagging clause’ to protect customer information, intellectual property or trade secrets. However, evidence is emerging that they are also being used to silence former employees to cover discriminatory […]
> BUYING & SELLING PROPERTY TIPS AND ADVICE By now there cannot be many conveyancers or estate agents who have not come across a problematic lease. Problems used to arise around poor drafting on occasions, or changes in practice, usually leading to non-compliance with lender requirements under the UK Finance (formerly CML) Lenders Handbook. However, in […]
Life expectancy is on the up. The average man can expect to live to 78 and the average woman can expect to achieve the grand old age of 82. Is the thought of spending 20-plus years of retirement with your spouse really that unbearable? Apparently so. “Silver Divorces” are on the increase. Over 60s are […]
Wintertime can be a very difficult time for the elderly who are more vulnerable in the winter months. It is a sad fact that every year approximately 20,000 more people aged 65 years or over die during the winter months. Ways to assist the elderly: Keep an eye out for illness or unusual behaviour Keep […]
What is trespassing? Save in some exceptional circumstances, if anyone enters onto a piece of land that does not belong to them without permission, they commit a trespass. Trespass can occur in a number of forms, from a trespassing structure to large groups of individuals. There is no need to show that any damage has […]
What is a Prenuptial Agreement? A Prenuptial Agreement (sometimes called a “Prenup” or a pre-marital agreement) is a formal signed agreement entered into by a couple before they get married. Its intention is to set out very clearly what the parties have agreed will happen to their assets (both jointly held assets and those held […]
Our Family Law Department has a lot of questions to answer, but the same issues keep coming up When asked “what questions to ask a family lawyer”, we know that we are asked certain questions again and again … Question 1: Does my ex have an obligation to keep a roof over his children’s heads? […]
The recent judgment by the Supreme Court on the Illot versus The Blue Cross and others case was a triumph for charities named in Wills. This judgment finally marks the end of a legal battle that has been raging since 2004. It was also a blow to adult non-dependent children of the deceased who wish […]