News
Is no-fault divorce any nearer?
Last October, the House of Commons Library released a briefing paper dealing with ‘no-fault’ divorce. It chronicles all the many recent calls for reform, including the report of the Nuffield Foundation research, led by Professor Liz Trinder of Exeter University, which summarises the current situation in no uncertain terms: “The failure to implement the Family Law Act 1996 has left divorce law in England and Wales untouched since 1973, and out of step with similar jurisdictions in Europe and North America in its heavy reliance on ‘fault’ as a basis for divorce”.
Helping a son or daughter onto the property ladder – avoiding the pitfalls
The financial struggles faced by young people trying to get onto the housing ladder regularly grab media headlines, and increasingly parents and grandparents are keen to help out. However, it’s important to get some good professional advice before proceeding.
Your digital afterlife and how to deal with it
If you’ve made your Will, the chances are that you thought about your precious personal possessions, and set out what should happen to them on your death. But what about your virtual life such as your photos, emails, music downloads and the content stored in your social media accounts? With more and more people regularly using services like online banking, PayPal, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon and YouTube, it’s becoming increasingly important to consider what happens to these too.
What does a ‘clean break’ divorce mean in practice?
The divorce process has terms and phrases that can be unfamiliar, and a ‘clean break’ can be one of them. Put simply, this is a break between the parties in a divorce and means that from then on, neither party has any continuing financial claim on the other. Whilst getting a divorce ends the contract of marriage, it does not sort out the financial aspects of the relationship. In order to settle the couple’s finances, there needs to be a formal agreement, known as a Financial Remedy Order, in place.
An LPA and joint property – what you need to know
It’s quite common for couples each to appoint their partner as their attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for property and financial affairs. Although it’s obviously a very sensible move to put an LPA in place when people still have the necessary mental capacity to do so, there can be issues for husbands and wives and civil partners when it comes to operating under the powers contained in an LPA and disposing of jointly-owned property.
A first-time buyer? How to make a success of your property purchase
Buying your first home can be both an exciting and nerve-racking experience. The exciting part is having a front door and space to call your own; the nerve-racking bit can be finding somewhere you can afford, saving enough for the deposit, and getting a mortgage deal in place. The good news is that since the November 2017 Budget, first-time buyers no longer pay stamp duty on properties bought for less than £300,000.
The importance of full disclosure of assets in divorce proceedings
With as many as 42% of all marriages in the UK ending in divorce, the break-up can be a traumatic time for all concerned. It brings with it the need to make financial arrangements that can have ramifications for both parties years after the settlement is made.
Lawyer International Legal 100 Award winners, for the second year running
We are thrilled to have been awarded the Lawyer International Legal 100 Award for ‘Law Firm of the Year, Trust and Estate’ for the second year running.
Will I be entitled to a refund of my LPA registration fee?
Following changes introduced by the Government to registration fees charged by the Office of the Public Guardian, from 1st February 2018 refunds are being offered to those who may have been charged more than was necessary to apply to register a Lasting or Enduring Power of Attorney between 1st April 2013 and 31st March 2017.
A cause close to the heart
Tony Brownlie, Solicitor within our Wills, Trusts and Probate department will tackle the London Marathon this April, in aid of Cardiomyopathy UK. For many who participate in the London Marathon, the charity they represent means a great deal to them, due to personal experiences and a passion for the cause – this too is the case for Tony.
