What do I need to know before renting out a property?
As a first-time landlord, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the decisions that must be made and the legalities that must be considered. For many people who have not rented a property before, it is common to face issues during or following the termination of the tenancy due to a lack of proper
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Do I need a solicitor to set up a business in the UK?
As with any life-altering events, including marriage, divorce or making your Will, you may instruct the support of a trusted solicitor. This is just as true when you decide to set up a business. Although it is not a legal requirement to instruct a solicitor when you set up a business, it is something that
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Stamp Duty Land Tax: Chancellor Budget Update
Stamp Duty Land Tax is the tax you pay if you buy a property or land over a certain price. This morning, during his ‘mini budget’, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng announced that the SDLT-free threshold would increase from £125,000 to £250,000. Meanwhile, for first-time buyers, the threshold will increase from £300,000 to £425,000. The value of
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Who can be a lasting power of attorney?
A lasting power of attorney is a legal document allowing someone to make decisions on your behalf, should you lack the capacity to do so yourself or no longer want to. There are many reasons why you might want (or need) someone to make decisions for you, including: Temporarily: if you are in hospital and
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What is the Court of Protection?
The Court of Protection is administered by HM Courts & Tribunals Service. It is responsible for a range of decisions based on a person’s financial and or welfare matters if, at the time when it is required, they do not have sufficient ‘mental capacity’. What can the Court of Protection decide? If the Court of
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What is estate administration?
When somebody dies, it is essential that their assets, including finances and property, are distributed. If the person left a Will, it would be the responsibility of the executor (named in the Will) to administer the estate according to the contents of the Will. Estate administration involves: Gathering information about a person’s asset information, including
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Applying for probate
You may have to apply for probate if you are named as an executor in someone’s Will. Having applied for probate, you will have the authority to share the deceased’s estate according to their Will’s instructions. It is not necessary to apply for probate in all cases. Do I need to apply for probate? Depending
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The Conveyancing Process – selling a property
When selling a property, there is always a lot to consider, not only the price you want to receive but the costs incurred on the way and any other unexpected twists to the process. This article outlines the process of selling a property to help you understand it better before you take this big step.
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The Conveyancing Process – buying a property
When buying a property, there is always a multitude of factors to be considered. If this is your first house or you are a seasoned buyer, it is always wise to go over the process to ensure you are ready for this big venture. This article takes a look at the basic process of buying a property.
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How to Make a Claim Under the Inheritance Act
Inheritance Act claims have steadily been increasing over recent years. It is now more common to see families made up of second marriages, stepchildren, carers, or cohabiting partners. Consequently, this can lead to misunderstandings over inheritance rights or disputes between beneficiaries. In this post, we look at some of the most frequently asked questions about
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