You will no longer be able to bank on your Bank to sort things out after your death HSBC, formerly known as the Midland Bank, have taken the decision to stop offering a probate service. If you have appointed HSBC or the Midland to act as your executor, they will no longer undertake this role […]
HSBC ends probate service Read More »
The recent budget scarcely mentioned inheritance tax, which is hardly surprising in light of the coalition agreement not to raise the threshold until after the forthcoming election. The government did, however, resurrect the proposal to abolish deeds of variation, a plan abandoned last century in light of strong opposition from many, including the Law Society.
The recent budget and inheritance tax Read More »
A poll conducted by the Law Society has found that the most stressful aspect of buying a new home is the time it takes to advance the matter to completion. In fact, 65% of homebuyers indicated that they were willing to pay more in legal fees in exchange for a speedier transaction. The conveyancing process
Property Update: More Haste, Less Speed Read More »
The European Union (‘EU’) have recently announced new mortgage rules to be introduced in all countries that are members of the EU. England and Wales will therefore be affected by the new regime which, by March 2016, must be implemented in relation to all residential and commercial mortgages. The new rules will mean
Property Update: European Union Mortgage Regulations Read More »
A recent case in the High Court has provided guidance on what should be considered when a spouse applies for maintenance payments. Spousal maintenance, put simply, amounts to payments made from one spouse (‘Payer’) to another (‘Payee’)on a regular basis so that the Payee may continue to cope financially and transition to a financially
Family Law Update: Maintenance Read More »
The New Regime Chancellor George Osborne said that stamp duty will be cut for 98% of homebuyers in his Autumn Statement to the Commons. These changes came into effect at midnight on the 3rd December 2014. Before the Autumn Changes the amount of stamp duty payable jumped at certain price levels. This system has been replaced by a
Stamp Duty Land Tax – Update Read More »
When couples divorce, they sometimes informally agree what will happen to the matrimonial home. They might agree that the wife should live there until the youngest reaches adulthood, that the property be sold and the proceeds be divided (not necessarily equally) or for the outgoing party to be ‘bought out’ by the person who stays.
What happens to the house on divorce? Read More »
Over 85% of the land in England and Wales is registered at the Land Registry and the Land Registry has already registered 23 million titles. If the property you own is not registered at the Land Registry we strongly recommend that you make a voluntary application to register it… why? Reasons to Register •
Voluntary Registration of Land – England & Wales Read More »
THE COLLABORATIVE APPROACH Separation is possibly one of the hardest life events most people will ever experience. Following separation, there are many matters to sort out. This can often be stressful and the thought of having to go through costly and difficult court proceedings only adds to the pressure. Court is not the only option.
Collaborative Law – Alternative dispute resolution for divorce matters Read More »
Hartley & Worstenholme Senior Partner, Chris Wilton, has been consulted by the Land Registry ahead of it’s proposals for reform to Local Land Charges. The Land Registry is proposing widespread reforms of the way in which Local Land Charge records are searched – something which affects the vast majority of land transactions, from residential conveyancing
Land Registry consult Hartley & Worstenholme on new proposals Read More »
