Blogs
Anne Robinson provides a lesson in estate planning
The news that Anne Robinson has given away her £50 million fortune to avoid paying inheritance tax has recently caused a splash around the media. But can gifting your fortune really keep the taxman away? And what does the story tell us about the importance of estate planning? Inheritance....
Executor of will vs power of attorney – what’s the difference?
In the world of estate planning, there are two legal roles that often get confused: executor and attorney. The former is responsible for carrying out the wishes of a deceased person as per their Will, whilst the latter is responsible for looking after a person’s money and welfare while they ar....
‘Clarkson’s Law’ and the conversion of agricultural buildings
Jeremy Clarkson’s foray into the world of farming has been followed with interest by the nation since the launch of his hit television show, Clarkson’s Farm, in 2021. Previously known for his penchant for fast cars in his role as Top Gear host, and later as Chris Tarrant’s replacement on Who ....
What happens if my child misses school during term time?
As the summer holidays approach, families may be thinking about removing their child from school during term time to take them on holiday. It is understandable why so many people consider this; after all, holidays are so much cheaper during term time and what harm will a few missed school days real....
Leasehold reform becomes law
The Leasehold and Freehold Reform bill has become law – one of the last pieces of legislation to make it through Parliament before it was dissolved in preparation for July’s general election. The reforms, which have been the subject of a great deal of scrutiny over the past few years, aim to ma....
Why you should keep your Will regularly updated
Andrew Flannagan, Head of our Wills, Trusts & Probate department, has decades of experience in estate administration, tax planning, Wills and Powers of Attorney. In this blog, he explains why making a Will is not enough – you have to keep it up to date, too. As an experienced Wills & P....
Courts changing their approach to the future of family law
Family law disputes have sometimes had a reputation for conflict. At a stressful time in your personal life, having to fight a court battle can be an unwelcome thought. In recent years, there has been a big shift away from this confrontational style of divorce proceedings. Now, updates to the fa....
How to tell your children you’re getting a divorce
Making the decision to separate from your spouse can be absolutely heartbreaking. You are facing the prospect of breaking up your family and of moving forward into an uncertain future. Now, you might also be wondering how on Earth to tell your children you are splitting up without adding to their i....
The Building Safety Act and the remediation of historic defects
The Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022, hereafter referred to as ‘the Act’) was designed to address safety issues affecting existing buildings. The Act was specifically formulated to reallocate the financial responsibility for rectifying these issues from the buildings’ tenants to either the ....
The Building Safety Act – fire safety responsibilities for landlords
The Grenfell Tower fire, a tragic incident during which over 70 people lost their lives when a fire blazed out of control due to the building’s highly flammable cladding, led to the introduction of the Building Safety Act 2022. The Act legislated amendments to a raft of other laws and regulations....
I’ve heard of the 10 and 4-year rule in planning, what does it mean?
If you want to be certain that the existing use of a building is lawful for planning purposes, or that your proposed development does not require planning permission, you can apply for a Lawful Development Certificate. Due to the limitation periods that apply to these Certificates, you may also hav....
This story is exactly why you need a professional trustee
was placed into a trust until they reached the age of 25. The bequest was supposed to give them a head-start in life, to help them onto the property ladder or pay for their education. But when one of the Thomas sisters asked to access the money early in order to purchase a property with her boyfrie....
