Mental incapacity and being a trustee
- Published
- Author
-
The assumption is often made that if someone has a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place, that the appointed trustees will have the authority to deal with matters in the event of mental incapacity of a trustee. This is not true and can cause problems. In the case of an appointed trustee loosing physical […]
Debunking Domicile and Inheritance Tax
- Published
- Author
-
Domicile is a misunderstood concept largely because by its very nature it is subjective and therefore ambiguous. However, it is essential to establish a deceased’s domicile, as this affects the taxation of their estate. Broadly speaking domicile is a person’s permanent, principal home and usually where they have lived physically at some time, albeit they may […]
What do Leaseholders and Freeholders need to know? The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024
- Published
- Author
-
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act (the Act) received Royal Assent on the 24th of May, bringing significant changes to leasehold in England and Wales. Although the Act has been praised for empowering leaseholders and improving transparency in the sector, it has also been criticised for failing to address several key issues. It is also […]
Understanding Sections 24 to 28 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954
- Published
- Author
-
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the Act) has long been a cornerstone of the legal framework governing commercial tenancies. Within this seminal piece of legislation lie various sections that outline the rights and obligations of both landlords and tenants. Sections 24 to 28 outline provisions regarding the renewal of tenancies, offering essential protections and […]
What does it mean to have the Final Order of divorce?
- Published
- Author
-
Nowadays, as an application for divorce is dealt with using the online service and does not require a reason to be given for the breakdown of the marriage, many couples will deal with the divorce application themselves and may not consult a family lawyer at any stage of their divorce. However, what many couples do […]
I have a Will, so why do I need a Lasting Power of Attorney?
- Published
- Author
-
It is important to consider the potential consequence of not having a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) in place. Many assume that their spouse or in the alternative that their adult children will automatically have the authority to make decisions on their behalf. However, this is not the case, and without an LPA, those close […]
Buying your first home
- Published
- Author
-
nat_B0m
Your first home is an exciting purchase but also one with lots of considerations and documents. This checklist should help you get organised: Budget: Firstly, it’s important to determine how much you can afford to spend. Gather: Collect salary information, bank statements and other evidence of saving and/or investments. If you are being given money by family […]
Will Beneficiaries, Claimants and Disputes
- Published
- Author
-
This article is NOT intended as information/ a guide as to how to bring nor and defend an action under the Inheritance Provision for Family & Dependants Act 1975 (‘IPFDA’75). What it is, however, is some thoughts on how to give instructions for the drafting of a Will by a professional, and indeed, the importance […]
Inheritance Tax Planning: Is Inheritance Tax in the near future likely to remain a threat to the goal of passing your estate on as intact as possible to your heirs?
- Published
- Author
-
Francis Fukuyama in his 1992 book “The end of history…” postulated that Western liberal democracy as a statement for government, underpinned by capitalism, represented the final perfection of government and social economic systems. This is the afterglow of their seeming victory, when viewed against the collapse of the alternative Soviet bloc style of government and […]
What Fees are Landlords Allowed to Charge a Tenant?
- Published
- Author
-
The Tenant Fees Act 2019 was implemented to protect tenants from unfair fees charged by landlords and letting agents. As of June 2020, many fees and charges have been prohibited. Please note: the following guidance applies to England only. Welsh law is covered by Renting Homes (Fees etc.) (Wales) Act 2019. What fees are […]