Negotiating a separation agreement – 4 mistakes to avoid
Negotiating a separation from a partner is never easy, having a formal separation agreement and knowing what mistakes to avoid is crucial. Read more here.
Avoid family conflict at Christmas – focus on family wellbeing
Avoiding conflict at Christmas is always a challenge, and with COVID-19 restrictions likely to get worse before they get better, the pandemic may continue to put relationships under pressure.
Leaving a gift in your Will to charity
Leaving a gift in your Will to a UK charity is free of inheritance tax and can help make a difference with the work they do. Find out more.
Back to school: coronavirus rules, measures, and restrictions in schools
With pupils returning to school, and many coronavirus restrictions now lifted, we understand that both parents and pupils will have questions about what to expect. In this article, we look at the rules around wearing masks, self-isolating, and testing in relation to school pupils. Will children need to self-isolate if they are in contact with a pupil who has tested positive? The rules changed on 16th August with children aged under 18 no longer required to self-isolate if they have come into close contact with a person who has tested…
Divorce and grandparents’ rights
When a couple makes the decision to divorce, the breakdown of the relationship can have far-reaching consequences. Unfortunately, grandparents of any children of the relationship can suffer and even be prevented from seeing their grandchildren as often as they would like. However, there are certain actions grandparents can take to secure child arrangements with their grandchildren and in this article, we look at some of the solutions to a very sensitive legal problem. Do grandparents have any legal rights? Under UK law, grandparents do not have an automatic right through…
Can you make a Power of Attorney online?
It is possible to make a Power of Attorney online, but whether you should is an entirely different matter. The process of making a Power of Attorney seems straightforward, but for those who are unfamiliar with the process, there are many potential pitfalls which could result in your application being rejected or your wishes not being carried out correctly. In this article, we look at some of the common difficulties we see when clients attempt to make a Power of Attorney online. How do I make a Power of Attorney…
Gifting and inheritance tax explained
As part of inheritance tax planning, or simply as part of passing on wealth to the next generation, you may consider gifting money or property to family or friends. However, there are several things you need to know about gifting and inheritance tax. In this article, we give a brief overview of gifting and inheritance tax, including who you can gift to, how much you can gift, and what it means if you continue to benefit from the gift. Giving away money or property to avoid inheritance tax One of…
COVID-19 vaccine: What if my partner objects to our child being vaccinated?
With the COVID-19 vaccine being quickly rolled out across the UK, there are concerns among some about the long-term impact and side effects of the vaccine. As a result, some are reluctant to get the vaccine themselves or let their children be vaccinated. The law in the UK allows parents to decide whether their children should be vaccinated, but what happens when parents or those with parental responsibility disagree? In this article, we look at what happens if one parent objects to a child being vaccinated. What happens when parents…
Marriage breakdowns could head for their own lockdown
The easing of lockdown may have been the catalyst for the announcement by billionaire Bill Gates and his wife that they were heading for divorce and separate lives, with data from Google showing a surge in searches for divorce guidance as restrictions were relaxed. But while Bill and Melinda reportedly reached a financial settlement agreement before making their news public, with Gates transferring shares worth $2.4 billion to his estranged wife, this clear-cut route may be closed to those who are less well off. That’s because financial hardships, the potential…
How a Lasting Power of Attorney can help someone with dementia
This blog looks at how a Lasting Power of Attorney can help if someone has dementia, and marks Dementia Action Week that runs from 17th - 23rd May 2021 and is a national event that sees the public coming together to take action to improve the lives of people affected by dementia. When a person receives a dementia diagnosis, this doesn’t automatically mean they cannot make important decisions. However, as their symptoms worsen, they may no longer be able to make decisions about their finances, health, or care. We refer to…