Enduring Power of Attorney vs. Lasting Power of Attorney: What you need to know
If you have an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA), you might be wondering whether it’s still valid and whether you need to replace it with a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). Let’s break it down and help you understand your options. Is your EPA still valid? It has not been possible to create new EPAs […]
Understanding Statutory Declarations: What, Why, and How
At some point in your life, you may need to make a statutory declaration, a legal statement confirming that certain information is true. But why is this necessary? Where do you go to swear one? And how does the process work? Let’s break it down. Why might you need a statutory declaration? There are various […]
I am married, so why do I need a Will?
This is a good question and it comes up a lot. This question relates to the ‘Intestacy rules’ which determine who inherits property if a person dies without a Will. The rules typically prioritise close family members, with spouse and children at the top of the list of priority. If you are married and don’t […]
Gifting the family home to children during your lifetime – is it a good idea?
In most cases, I would advise against this. As your home is arguably your most important asset, it is normally the last thing you should use use for planning. Nevertheless, this something that I am often asked to advise on. This article explores the main aspects of the topic. FAQs around gifting the family home […]
Why Lasting Powers of Attorney are crucial
Many people assume that if they become incapacitated, their spouse or closest family member will automatically have the legal authority to make financial and medical decisions on their behalf. This is a dangerous misconception.
Top 10 tax tips for lottery winners
“Tax? Lottery wins are tax free aren’t they?” It is indeed the case that there is no income tax charged on lottery winnings, whether you win £10 or £100 million. But for those of us who have dreamt of a big win, few of us will have considered the slug of inheritance tax that our […]
