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Dying without a Will in the UK can be a problematic situation for all involved. Without a valid Will in place, your estate will be shared out according to the legal process known as ‘intestate’. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what these intestacy rules are and what they mean. What Does […]

Many commercial landlords may find themselves in a situation whereby their tenant has fallen into rental arrears. This article aims to set out how to deal with a commercial tenant who hasn’t paid their rent. There are things that should be considered when deciding which remedy to pursue such as: There are other breaches of […]

Analysing the impact the COVID-19 lockdown had on divorce rates and families across the UK As we are easing out of lockdown, I suspect that we are all wondering how this COVID-19 pandemic has and will continue to affect us, both in terms of our family lives and in the wider community. For some, the […]

STEP have recently published a briefing note on the proposed legislation which will allow for the witnessing of Wills via video link. For a Will to be validly executed the current requirement is that it is signed by the testator in the presence of two independent witnesses who must then also sign and fill in […]

English law does not necessarily grant a family member the right to receive a share of a person’s estate on their death. This is referred to as “testamentary freedom” and was described in the 1869 case of Banks v Goodfellow as “English law leaves everything to the unfettered discretion of the testator…”. Some 45 years […]

The tax threshold has been temporarily raised to £500,000 until next March and is effective immediately. Anyone completing on a main residence costing up to £500,000 between 8 July and 31 March will not pay any stamp duty, and more expensive properties will only be taxed on their value above that amount saving some buyers […]

Please note that the law in Scotland and Northern Ireland often differs from that in England and Wales and the arrangements described below apply in England and Wales Typically, the most sensitive and challenging aspect of any relationship breakdown is establishing the future arrangements for children. On separation, emotions can run high on both sides […]