Posted on October 28, 2026 by
AdminThe festive season is a time for celebrations, family gatherings and Christmas parties, but it can also be one of the busiest periods of the year for police enforcement on UK roads. Increased traffic, bad weather conditions and social events involving alcohol can all contribute to a higher risk of motoring offences.
While many motorists are aware of the dangers of drink driving, there are several other offences that also commonly occur during the Christmas and New Year period. Understanding the risks and taking sensible precautions can help you avoid penalty points, fines, disqualification from driving and, in some cases, criminal prosecution.
Read more...Posted on October 28, 2026 by
AdminLife rarely stands still. Whether you've bought a home, welcomed a child, gotten married, divorced, started a business or received an inheritance during 2026, these milestones can have a significant impact on your estate planning. As 2027 approaches, now is the ideal time to review your arrangements and ensure your wishes remain protected.
Many people assume that once they have made a Will, nothing more needs to be done. In reality, major life events can affect how your estate is distributed, who makes decisions on your behalf, and whether your loved ones will face unnecessary complications in the future.
Here are the key estate planning checks to make before entering 2027.
Read more...Posted on October 27, 2026 by
AdminBuying your first home is one of the biggest financial commitments you'll ever make. With the UK Government's next Autumn Budget scheduled for 28 October 2026, many first-time buyers are wondering whether any announcements could make getting onto the property ladder easier or more expensive. The Budget is expected to address wider economic challenges, public spending and taxation, all of which can influence the housing market and homeownership costs.
Read more...Posted on October 27, 2026 by
AdminFor many first-time buyers, purchasing a home is one of life's biggest financial commitments. While finding the right property is exciting, overlooking the legal aspects of a purchase can lead to delays, unexpected costs, or even failed transactions. As the property market continues to evolve in 2027, understanding the legal process before making an offer can help you avoid common pitfalls and move forward with confidence.
Whether you're buying a new-build apartment, a leasehold flat or your first family home, below are a couple of things you need to know before starting the home-buying journey.
Read more...Posted on July 12, 2026 by
AdminNationwide cut its mortgage rates for the third time in a month last week. Yorkshire Building Society went one better, cutting twice in a single week. Across the market, fixed rates fell by as much as 0.26% in just seven days as lenders scrambled to undercut one another. If you've been sitting on the fence about moving house or remortgaging, this is the kind of week that should get your attention.
Read more...Posted on July 10, 2026 by
AdminNew HMRC guidance published this week has laid bare just how complicated the government's plan to bring pensions into inheritance tax actually is — prompting solicitors to warn of "chaos" for the executors who will have to make it work. From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and death benefits will count towards the value of your estate for inheritance tax purposes for the first time. If you're likely to be named as an executor for a family member, or you're planning your own estate, this is a change worth understanding well before it takes effect.
Read more...Posted on July 10, 2026 by
AdminA new Housing Mobility Report published this week found that 28% of owner-occupiers who've delayed a house move named stamp duty as the main reason. According to the report's authors, scrapping the tax altogether could bring more than 300,000 homes onto the market within a year — and over 750,000 within three. A cross-party Parliamentary committee is now pushing the government to launch a formal consultation on alternatives to stamp duty before the end of 2026.
Read more...Posted on July 9, 2026 by
AdminFrom 13 July 2026, the fee to apply for a grant of probate in England and Wales rises from £300 to £526 — a jump of more than 75% in a single change. If you're currently gathering paperwork to apply for probate, or expect to be handling a loved one's estate in the coming weeks, the date on your application could make a real difference to what you pay.
Read more...Posted on July 8, 2026 by
AdminFrom 13 July 2026, the fee for filing a court document rises by 27%, from £11 to £14. It sounds like a small change, but for anyone going through divorce proceedings, it's one more cost on top of a family court system where the average wait from application to final financial order has stretched to 74 weeks — well over a year. If you're separating, or already mid-proceedings, the combination of rising fees and lengthening waits is worth understanding now.
Read more...Posted on June 11, 2026 by
AdminIf you’re living with your partner but haven't tied the knot, you’ve probably heard the term common law marriage.’ It’s a phrase that gets thrown around a lot, usually with the assumption that after a few years of sharing a kettle and a mortgage, you have the same legal rights as a married couple.
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