By Rick Bunch, Associate
In an unexpected move unveiled in this year’s budget, George Osborne said the government will “close an inheritance tax loophole that allows a deduction from the value of an estate for an outstanding debt regardless of whether or not the debts are paid after death, or how the borrowed funds have been used.”
This affects a mainstream wealth preservation and tax planning arrangement known as the ...
By Michelle Simpson, Associate
In a recent interview in Country Life magazine, Penelope Keith, one of the stars of 1970s TV show “The Good Life” blamed women in their 50s and 60s for the growing surge in divorces and an increase in property prices.
The idea of a rising tide of “silver separations” has already taken hold as statistics show an increase in the number of divorces for the over 60s. Compared ...
By Chris Reece, Paralegal
Many people may give some thought to the type of funeral they would like, particularly those who have prepared a will which includes their funeral wishes. But what happens if you want to donate your body to medical science?
The law imposes certain conditions on the way in which you can request that your body is donated to medical science after your death. It ...
By Michelle Simpson, Associate
A judge has dismissed a wife’s application to reopen their divorce settlement in a “big money” case even though the husband was found to have been dishonest and had attempted to keep the true facts about his finances from his wife and the court.
The husband and wife had reached a settlement during the course of a final hearing. The terms of the settlement were approved by the court ...
By Chris Reece, Paralegal
The British Bankers’ Association has recently issued banks and building societies with guidance designed to improve the experiences of those who manage an account on behalf of someone else. The guidance was developed in conjunction with the Building Societies Association and Office of the Public Guardian with assistance from the Law Society, Alzheimer’s Society, Solicitors for the Elderly and Age UK.
Previously, individuals ...
By Michelle Simpson, Associate
Not every husband and wife who separate want to get divorced straight away. They may choose to wait two years before starting divorce proceedings but still want to reach an immediate agreement about their financial arrangements.
In this situation a separation agreement can be used to record the financial agreement reached. This is a legal document and can be legally binding. The intention is to eventually have the terms ...
By Alison Close, Employment Law Solicitor
For many years now, employees who are classed as disabled have been protected against discrimination from their employers. What many do not realise is that disability for these purposes is wider than in normal day-to-day parlance and includes anyone who has a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial adverse effect upon their ability to perform day-to-day activities. So those who suffer from mental health ...
By Leah Strange, Solicitor
Margaret Thatcher has always divided opinion and it would seem she continues to do so even after her death.
Whilst most of the nation seems very much undecided about The Iron Lady and how she should be laid to rest, one thing that should be noted is that her own wishes are being taken into account.
Although the Government has been heavily involved with the planning of ...
By Michelle Simpson, Associate
A barrister who took her ex-husband to court complaining that her original £26 million divorce settlement was not enough has ended up £8 million worse off while the judge presiding over the case criticised their £2.7 million spend on legal costs and their “point scoring” behaviour, describing the court’s intervention as “somebody has to come into the nursery to make some rules to dissipate all this nonsense.”
Mr and ...
By Michael Devlin, Solicitor
According to two recent government publications, residential possession claims are rising and this is likely to increase with the implementation of the Universal Credit Scheme. A recent pilot of the scheme showed a seven-fold increase in rent arrears in just seven months.
As residential landlords, when you need to obtain possession of your property you need ...
