Dying without a valid Will may result in your estate being distributed in accordance with the law only, as opposed to being distributed in accordance with your specific wishes. This could mean that people you wish would benefit may not, and those you do not want to benefit may end up with a large amount.
Powers of Attorney are legal documents that give another person the power to make decisions for you. In the United Kingdom, there are two main types, and you can create more than one, according to your circumstances and needs.
The formation of a trust is something you may consider during estate planning, to reduce your inheritance tax liability, protect your family against financial difficulties, or provide for the care of vulnerable people.
Probate is the legal administration of a Will, which allows banks and building Societies to pay out money following a death.
Will administration is the process of executing the Will – including all detail, paperwork, notifications, and disbursements.
Proper estate planning is all about the protection of your wealth, for the benefit of you and your family. It allows you to structure your asset portfolio in a way that is tax efficient and ensures that everyone is provided for.
Succession Planning is focused on the way in which your wealth and assets are passed on to the next generation. While there is a great deal of overlap between succession planning and estate planning, succession planning is especially important for business owners
Like marriage, divorce is a life-changing decision. It is a very difficult time for any couple and is especially challenging for those with children. It is also a legal situation that seems intimidating, which is why legal advice and guidance should be sought as soon as possible.
Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Cohabitation Agreements are legal documents designed to set out the terms in which property and wealth will be dealt with at certain points in a relationship.
Civil partnerships are essentially an alternative to traditional marriage. They were enshrined in law in 2004 for use by same sex couples, but were expanded to include heterosexual couples in 2019. In England and Wales, civil partnerships provide legal rights and responsibilities that are similar to those provided by marriage, so the main difference is the lack of religious element in civil partnerships.
The breakdown of a marriage is difficult enough, but when you add in separation of assets and financial interests, the situation is often complicated further. There are a number of possible options available to enable divorcing couples to come to a financial settlement.
When a family breaks down, and parents get divorced, child arrangements often become the most sensitive issue. The emotional upheaval of divorce can have a significant impact on children of any age, which is why it is important to seek the right legal advice
Buying and selling a property can be an intimidating and stressful time for those involved. It is vital that you have a conveyancer who fully understands that the process of every transaction is unique.
Re-mortgaging is the process of paying off your current mortgage and moving to another lender. The procedure is similar to that of a purchase, as the new lender will want to know that the security they are lending on is good.
The transfer of equity process makes changes to the legal ownership of a property, outside of the normal sale and purchase transaction. There are a number of reasons why this might be necessary, and each of them presents its own complications
Leasehold enfranchisement is a very complex area of law that governs the process of leasehold extensions, or the purchase of the freehold of a property on which the leasehold has been held.
Residential tenancies can be complex and difficult to understand, leaving both Landlords and Tenants confused as to their position. That is why it is important that you have good advice from the outset to avoid any issues further down the line.