If you own a leasehold property, you may need to extend your lease. We explain why it might be necessary, look at the lease extension process, and answer the question, ‘How long does it take to extend a lease?’ Why do you need to extend a lease?...
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It can often be difficult to approach the discussion topic of death, including making important future provisions such as drafting a Will. However, making a Will is a vital part of securing the future of your estate and assets after you pass, and it will...
Owners of leasehold flats and houses will need to extend their lease from time to time to prevent the remaining years from running down. A lease with below 80 years remaining can devalue a property. Mortgage lenders will often not lend once a lease drops...
The word family can mean many things to different people and will not just be a group of two or more persons related by birth, marriage, or adoption. In modern society, families come in all shapes and sizes. In this modern-day society, one definition does...
If you are considering getting divorced or have already made the decision that this is what you want to do, you likely have a lot of questions. Understanding how to start divorce proceedings is, unsurprisingly, one of the first things people think of, but...
If you are going through a divorce or separation, you may be wondering, at what age can a child refuse to see a parent in the UK? Making arrangements for children after a relationship breakdown is not always straightforward and matters can be more...
If you are a landlord who is selling a house or other residential property with sitting tenants, it is important to be aware of their rights and your obligations. If you are buying a property with sitting tenants, you also need to be aware of the...
If you own a leasehold property, this will only be for a fixed period of time. The lease on the property acts as a legal agreement between you, the leaseholder, and the freeholder/landlord. With a leasehold, you will own the property and have a right to...
Pensions are often the most valuable assets people have apart from the family home. They will need to be considered when you are dividing your finances in a divorce or civil partnership dissolution. Many people will be worried about the impact on their...
A father whose daughter had been ‘brainwashed’ by the Universal Medicine cult used court proceedings to save her. Universal Medicine was originally founded in Australia in 1984 by bankrupt Tennis Coach Serge Benhayon. The cult claims they focus...
When a loved one loses the mental capacity to make personal and financial decisions on their own, it can be an emotional time for all involved. Thankfully, there are things that can be done to assist, such as working with the Court of Protection to manage...
If you are going through a divorce, one of your major concerns is likely to be your home and whether you will be able to keep it. The family home is often the most valuable asset a couple own, and providing somewhere for both parties to live can be...
Divorce law reform has been pushed back to 6 April 2022 due to problems getting the new system needed up and running. No-fault divorce will make getting a divorce simpler and less stressful for couples across the country. It will remove the requirement for...
Do you worry about how your money and affairs would be looked after if your health deteriorated and you were no longer able to manage these yourself? The answer is to make Lasting Power(s) of Attorney (LPA’s) whereby you appoint one or more individuals...
Nearly 1 in 4 adopted children make contact with their birth family before they turn 18 years old, according to charity, Adoption UK. When adopted children turn 18, they have a right to request information about their birth family. However, the rise of...
Domestic abuse is a devastating yet all too common experience that leaves people with trauma that can last months, years, or even a lifetime. It is estimated that 2.4 million people (aged 16 to 74) experience domestic abuse every year, and that is only the...
Children are often at the heart of divorce and dissolution, but sometimes their voices get lost. For most parents, the happiness and welfare of their children is the most important thing in the world. However, when divorce talks are in full swing and both...
Are you thinking about getting a divorce? The first legal step you need to take is to file a divorce petition at court. If you and your partner are on the same page about the separation, this process should be simple, right? Actually, it can be more...
At this point in time, many countries are off-limits due to a coronavirus travel ban. You may also need a justification to travel to other countries. But with the rules changing so quickly and so regularly, it may be the case that you are thinking about...
Are you an Executor? Being appointed as an Executor is an onerous job. Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to, locating and identifying the assets and any liabilities of the estate; applying to the Court for a Grant of Probate of the Will;...
Have you made a Will? If you do not make a Will your ‘estate’ – normally all of your investments, property, cash & personal belongings - will pass to your next-of-kin ( if you have any ) according to the law governing intestacy. This...
What is a Home Rights Notice? If you are going through a divorce you may suddenly receive a letter from HM Land Registry stating a Home Rights Notice has been registered against your property. This can cause significant upset, especially if it is received...
Introduction When a couple decide that that the marriage has broken down, one of the most pressing issues they face is ‘What happens to the finances?’ With divorce cases taking up to a year to get through to Decree Absolute, couples are...
As family solicitors specialising in divorce law we have seen a marked increase in the number of clients seeking a divorce during the pandemic. Lately the number of divorce enquiries has increased significantly as the two issues are closely linked; this is...