How to plan philanthropic giving through your Will In 2006, the American multi-billionaire Warren Buffet astounded the media by making a pledge to give away 99 per cent of his wealth to charities. He plans to do most of this in his lifetime and intends the remainder to be given away within 10 years…
Should you sign a prenuptial agreement? Bringing up the subject of a prenuptial agreement can be as daunting as popping the question, perhaps more so as it raises the issue that the marriage might not last. But how should you react if you have been asked to sign an agreement? What should you look…
Five more potential problems with your property title (and how to fix them) As many buyers look to take advantage of the temporary stamp duty holiday, now could be the right time to sell your home. To ensure any sale progresses smoothly, it is important to make sure the title to your property is…
Do I need to start my divorce prior to Brexit? If you are contemplating divorce, then you may need to consider whether it would be beneficial to commence proceedings prior to Brexit. This is particularly important if either you or your spouse are nationals of another EU country, if you last resided in another…
Lost or unexpected beneficiaries when someone dies It is not uncommon for executors to face some difficulty tracking down the beneficiaries of an estate, especially if the will was written many years ago and contact details are out of date or there are beneficiaries who you have never met. If there was no will,…
Five potential problems with your property title (and how to fix them) The easing of lockdown restrictions, a buoyant property market, and the temporary savings on stamp duty mean now could be the ideal time to sell up and buy your next home. Getting the timing right could be more important than ever and,…
Viewpoint Hill & Abbott Solicitor passes annual Lexcel assessment The team at Viewpoint Hill & Abbott Solicitors is delighted to announce that we have once again passed our annual Lexcel assessment. The prestigious Lexcel practice management accreditation is awarded to only those law firms who meet the highest management and client care standards. …
Are future earnings taken account of in a divorce settlement? If you are contemplating getting divorced then your future financial security is likely to be a key concern, particularly if you gave up or compromised a promising career to look after children and support your spouse in their career. High costs and scarcity of…
Buying a home with friends or family In most places, the property market appears buoyant with prices continuing to rise. Although good news for many, this could make it more difficult if you are looking to get onto the property ladder. If affordability is an issue, one possible solution is to pool resources and…
When to consider appointing a professional attorney With continuing advances in modern medicine, we are living longer than ever before and, while we are able to keep our bodies healthy and fit into older age, often our minds cannot keep pace. A power of attorney provides an additional means of support among those you…
Ensuring your home passes as you choose Although property values have suffered recently, house prices continue to rise faster than most other investments and property is often the most valuable asset in someone’s estate when they die. But it is also a home and may need to remain a home for a surviving partner,…
Agreeing time with your children following separation A separation will inevitably mean a change in the family dynamic, and you may be concerned about what this will mean for your relationship with your children. New arrangements will have to be put in place in relation to where the children will reside, and what time…
Stamp duty holiday, should I buy a property now? In his summer statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced an eight-month stamp duty holiday. The Government hopes the tax cut will catalyse the housing market and boost consumer confidence during the Coivd-19 crisis. But how will the stamp duty holiday work and should it…
Witnessing of Wills and LPA services go digital Isolation during the coronavirus pandemic has meant more people are relying on digital services to get things done while keeping safe at home – and government institutions have been adapting to cope with these changes. During July, two key developments were announced which affect people making…
Love knows no boundaries, but divorce must consider them If you are considering divorce and have ties to more than one country, then where you issue your proceedings can impact the outcome. These types of divorce are commonly known as cross-border, and typically we think of countries outside the United Kingdom. But a recent…
Coronavirus and mortgages, your questions answered As lockdown restrictions ease and people want to take advantage of the stamp duty holiday, we are seeing more activity in the housing market. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty, particularly over mortgage availability. On the one hand, interest rates are at an all-time low. On…
Varying maintenance payments due to Covid-19 hardship The coronavirus pandemic has turned most of our world upside down, causing economic hardship for many people and job losses are expected to continue as the furlough scheme comes to an end. ‘If you have lost all or part of your income, your ability to pay…
Why use a legal expert for an estate administration? Like many government organisations, Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) has been increasing its digital services over the past few years as it aims to provide a more streamlined system for probate registries. While the online service provides an option for executors and…
Developers’ incentives, are they worth it? Although the coronavirus has placed restrictions on the way that properties can be viewed, the housebuilders are open for business again and keen to get the cash flowing. If you are looking to buy your first home or to trade up, you may feel tempted by some of…
Coronavirus, putting your house on the market Estimates suggest 375,000 property transactions have stalled because of the coronavirus crisis. Recent easing of restrictions means these sales can now progress. What if you were thinking of moving, but had not yet put your house on the market? Some agents are predicting a buoyant market…