Blogs
Could the end of Inheritance Tax be imminent?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is a tax levied on the estates of people who have died, normally at a rate of 40%. Whilst just one in 20 estates are subject to IHT, this number actually used to be far lower. The threshold for the tax has been frozen at £325,000 since the 2009/10 financial year; in the subse....
What happens if my mortgage offer expires?
On 22 June, the Bank of England increased the base rate to 5% - the highest level in 15 years – in an attempt to combat the UK’s stubbornly high inflation rate. Raising interest rates is a common method used to tackle inflation, as it decreases the spending power of mortgage holders and encoura....
Preparing your commercial property for new energy efficiency laws
Upcoming changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) mean that the owners of commercial buildings must be prepared or face harsh penalties. Currently it is a requirement to let any commercial property that they have an EPC rating of D as a minimum – but by 2030, the minimum ratin....
Protecting your family’s wealth and assets with pre-nuptial agreements
Summer is well underway, meaning that wedding season is at its peak. In the leadup to the big day, we’re here to highlight the importance of pre-nuptial agreements and their role in keeping your wealth and assets safe. What is a pre-nuptial agreement? Pre-nuptial agreements are used to ....
Why you need a cohabitation agreement
The number of couples who are living together without being married or entering into a civil partnership has massively increased in recent decades. According to a Commons Library briefing paper, the number of cohabiting couples rose from around 1.5 million in 1996 to around 3.6 million in 2021 – ....
Renters Reform Bill enters parliament
Since our previous update on imminent reforms to the private rented sector, events have moved apace. The Renters Reform Bill – touted by the government as the biggest shakeup of renters’ rights in a generation – has now been introduced to parliament. It has now been through its first reading ....
Assured shorthold tenancies – what’s changing?
In June 2022, the government announced the introduction of the Renters Reform Bill, which would result in sweeping changes across the private rented sector to level the long-perceived power imbalance between landlords and tenants. The bill is finally due to be published and introduced into Parli....
Family business succession – what you need to know
Passing a family business onto the next generation is a proud and satisfying achievement. After years of hard work building or maintaining your reputation and traditions, family succession is a highly significant moment – and one that you want to get right. Alongside the pride, there is inevit....
Instruct a solicitor early for family business succession planning
Succession planning is critical to the future and enduring success of your business. Having spent years working on every little detail, implementing an effective succession plan is the final step to ensuring your legacy and the continuation of your hard work. As all business owners know, forward....
How a private FDR could speed up your divorce
As many people who have been through a divorce will know, it can be a long, drawn-out and emotionally difficult process. For some years now, this already traumatic situation has for many families been compounded by the severe delays plaguing the family court system. Government data published at ....
Luxury goods – a ‘safe haven’ investment?
Last year, as the UK economy continued to struggle and inflation soared, Investors Chronicleran an article about luxury goods and their potential to weather economic storms in comparison to more ‘traditional’ investments like stocks and shares. It was an article that resonated with us at the....
Common conveyancing issues – and how we deal with them
The Legal Ombudsman is an independent and impartial body that offers consumers recourse if they are unhappy with the services of a law firm or legal services provider. It is a vital scheme which offers protection against poor legal advice and customer service. Sadly, nearly a quarter (23%) of co....