What to consider from a legal perspective upon receipt of a dementia diagnosis
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There are an estimated 982,000 people living with dementia in the UK, with this number anticipated to increase to over 1.4 million by 2040. One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either by caring for someone living with the condition, developing it ourselves, or both. Being in receipt of […]
Care Costs and paying for them – fact amongst the hyperbole
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It is very easy to be led astray by headlines such as: “Hated Dementia tax is back as Labour threatens your home, savings and inheritance.” The reality is more nuanced and interesting – various governments have flirted with reform which could have lessened the impact of paying for care for much of ‘Middle England’ who […]
Assessing Mental Capacity
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nat_B0m
Almost every aspect of life requires a decision to be made, whether subconsciously, or otherwise. Whether an individual has mental capacity is a key consideration for all legal advisors. To take instructions from a client, a practitioner must be satisfied that that individual has mental capacity, i.e. that they are able to make a decision. […]
Navigating the UK’s new Employment Law landscape in 2024.
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This year, the landscape of UK employment law has undergone a wave of new regulations designed to enhance workers’ rights and protections. Both employers and employees need to navigate this evolving terrain. Employers need to adapt their practices to ensure compliance and avoid potential legal pitfalls. For employees, understanding these new rights is key to […]
DIY Wills and why they are a false economy
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“Why should I engage a lawyer to prepare a Will when I can get one from a stationer for £20, or instruct a Will Writer for half the price of a legal professional?” Here’s why… Case law has established that a Will written on a napkin, or an eggshell is valid if it meets the […]
Feeling left out? The Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975
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In England and Wales, you have the freedom to leave your property to whomever you choose upon your death. But what if your loved ones feel they’ve been left high and dry? The Inheritance Act 1975 (the Act) steps in to ensure fairness, allowing certain individuals to challenge a Will that doesn’t adequately provide for […]
“I put my house into a trust to avoid paying Inheritance Tax and care costs”
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nat_B0m
Planning for the future often involves finding ways to minimise the Inheritance Tax (IHT) burden and preserve the assets you’ve worked hard for. For most individuals, their home will be their biggest asset. To avoid paying IHT or selling the property to fund care, many look at placing their home in a trust, believing this […]
Costs in family proceedings
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nat_B0m
Unsurprisingly, most people who are going through, or contemplating, family Court proceedings are anxious about the financial cost of the proceedings. Many people wonder whether they will be able to claim their own legal costs from the other party. People often assume that, as is the case in most other civil law cases, the “successful” […]
How can non-married, non-civil partners be impacted by the Residential Nil Rate Band Allowance?
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It may seem perhaps counter-intuitive to be writing an article about the Residential Nil Rate Band Allowance when there is a possibility that the new Labour Government may shortly schedule it’s demise; but until that point in time is reached and that repealing measure is on the statute books, then we have the Residential Nil […]
Non-Court Dispute Resolution
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Since a change in the law in April 2024, when someone wants to apply to the court for remedy, the parties are required to inform the Court of their views on “Non-Court Dispute Resolution” (NCDR). The aim of this change is to ensure that people only resort to a Court application after they have considered […]