Blogs
Setting up home with a partner – the legal advice couples need
Deciding to move in together is an exciting time. These days, many couples live together before they get married, or choose not to get married at all. However, one of the most important things to be aware of is that, contrary to public opinion, ‘common law marriage’ doesn’t actually exist i....
Equity Release – the myths dispelled
Homeowners aged over 55 who purchased their property a few years ago are likely to find that it’s risen a lot in value. If they don’t want to downsize to release the cash, equity release is a way of giving them access to their money while they continue to live in their home. A growing....
Freeholders and lease extension – fulfilling your obligations whilst safeguarding your rights
Many leasehold properties were built in the housing booms of the last century, meaning that their leases are fast approaching the point where there is less than 80 years left to run. It’s at this point that these properties become more difficult to sell, and consequently freeholders can expect to ....
Can divorce be a “meal ticket for life”?
England, particularly London, has long been dubbed the “divorce capital of the world” as English courts have in the past had a reputation around the world for awarding generous payouts to the financially weaker party in a divorce; financial awards made in other European countries are generally m....
How to avoid the pitfalls in lease extension
Nearly one in five of all properties in England is leasehold, with around 3 million flats and 1.4 million new-build houses being owned in this way. As many leasehold flats date from the building booms of the last century, their owners are becoming aware that it’s time to negotiate an extension,....
Sepsis in children – what parents need to know
The 13th September was World Sepsis Day. Whilst awareness of the signs of meningitis and the need for prompt and appropriate treatment has become better known, there is another serious condition that affects 25,000 children each year in the UK – sepsis. This condition can often be missed in adult....
Tips on selling your home in a slow market
The property market is showing signs of a slowdown. Property prices fell by -0.5% in August, according to Nationwide. This is the largest monthly drop since July 2012, and may be due to uncertainty as to how the Brexit negotiations will play out over the coming months. So, if you’re trying to sell....
Practical advice for executors facing a Will challenge
Acting as an executor can be an arduous task; the role carries responsibilities, can be admin heavy, and it brings with it the need to deal with people going through a sad and difficult time. Sometimes, would-be beneficiaries can feel aggrieved if they think they have been left less than they consid....
The Raynsford Review of Planning – is a radical new planning system on the horizon?
June saw the publication of the interim report from former Labour Housing and Planning Minister Nick Raynsford’s planning review. He has had some forthright things to say about the state of planning in England, talking of “deeply demoralised” staff who work in a system where “there’s an ov....
The potential hidden killers that you may not be aware of, and why fast diagnosis is vital
Sepsis, also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning, can be fatal. The figures for sepsis make for grim reading. It affects around 150,000 people each year in the UK. Of those, 44,000 people die, giving it a higher mortality rate than heart attacks and some common forms of cancer. Early diagnosis a....
Neighbourhood plans v housing – site selection issues in Theydon Bois
The Localism Act 2011 gave communities an unprecedented opportunity to have their say about future development in their local area, allowing them to play a part in selecting sites for housing development. These proposals are then incorporated into a local plan. Much has changed since 2011; the UK....
I want to challenge a Will – what should I do?
As you may already be aware, there are several grounds on which you can challenge a Will or make a claim against an estate. These include: Testamentary capacity – with conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia being more widely diagnosed, claims made on the grounds that the deceased did not....
