“Piggy in the Middle” – How children can get stuck between separating parents
For parents who have or are thinking of separating it can be tricky working out contact and timetables. It can also be very emotive for both Mum and Dad as well as confusing for children who may feel they are “in the middle”. There are many different ways children can stay in contact with the […]
Obtaining parental responsibility as a step-parent
Being a step-parent often means taking on many of the responsibilities of day-to-day family life. You might do the school run, attend medical appointments, help with homework or make important decisions about your stepchild’s care. But what happens when you need to make a significant decision and discover that, legally, you do not have the […]
Equity Release – What you need to know
Equity release is when you take out funds from the value of your owned property without you having to leave or move home. How does equity release work? Equity release is a way of accessing some of the money tied up in your home without having to move. But it’s not as straightforward as it […]
A Guide to Company Formation
If you are thinking of starting a business, whether it’s a fresh idea or part of something bigger, getting the setup right from the start is essential. If it is done well and accurately, it will allow you up to grow, protects you personally, and helps you make good decisions from day one. Company formation […]
Pre-Nuptial Agreements: Are They Really Legally Binding?
Many people believe that signing a pre-nuptial agreement guarantees that their assets will be protected if their relationship ends. The reality is more nuanced. While pre-nuptial agreements can carry significant weight in the courts of England and Wales, they are not automatically legally binding. Understanding how they work can help you make informed decisions before […]
What does a solicitor do when you buy a house?
What Does a Solicitor Do When You Buy a House? Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make. Whilst many guides explain how to find a property or arrange a mortgage, few explain exactly what your solicitor actually does during the process. Your solicitor handles the legal side […]
Understanding Directors Duties
Being a director is not just a badge, it is an office holder that comes with legal duties you owe to the company. A company director is an individual appointed to manage the affairs of a company. Directors can be executive directors, who are involved in the day-to-day running of the business, or non-executive directors, […]
A Simple Guide to Probate
A Simple Guide to Understanding Probate in the UK When a loved one dies you may find yourselves as their executor. This can be a big job of finding out what they owned, collecting the assets, and ensuring they are distributed in line with the Will correctly. You can be held personally liable if something […]
Civil Partnerships and Co-habitation agreements – what you need to know
What Is a Civil Partnership? A civil partnership is a legally recognised relationship that gives couples many of the same rights and responsibilities as marriage. It offers an alternative way for couples to formalise their relationship without getting married. Originally introduced for same-sex couples, civil partnerships are now available to all couples, regardless of gender. […]
Pensions and Your Estate – What you need to bear in mind
For many years, pensions have been regarded as one of the most tax-efficient ways to pass wealth to future generations. Under the current rules, pension funds generally fall outside of your estate for inheritance tax purposes. This means that, regardless of the value of your pension, it would not usually be included when calculating inheritance […]