Home & Family
What are the new rules on barn…
Planning minister Nick Boles recently announced new planning rules which make redundant or under-used agricultural buildings eligible for residential change of use. Under the new rules, up to 450 square…
Four myths about making a will debunked
People frequently ask why it is necessary to make a will, often assuming that their estate will automatically be distributed the way they would have wished. In reality, there are…
Could I still be liable for chancel…
The issue of chancel repair liability has hit the headlines again in recent weeks after it emerged the Land Registry has sent letters to more than 12,000 land and property owners…
How does Community Right to Bid affect…
Q. I am selling a property that has been classed as an ‘asset of community value’. What are the implications of this and will it delay the disposal of the…
Who is the lord of your manor?
Lord of the Manor Many people in the Fylde Coast area of Lancashire have woken up in the last few days to letters from the Land Registry advising them that…
Loaning a horse: Have you considered a…
Every horse owner will understand that the financial cost of ownership can be considerable. In recent years, loaning a horse to a third party, or having one on loan, has…
Meet Harrison Drury’s family law team
Harrison Drury has significantly expanded its divorce and family law offering in recent months following a number of key appointments. Damian Baron joined the firm as a partner and head…
Harrison Drury boosts family law team
Harrison Drury has further expanded its family law team with the appointment of Janine Hutson. Janine specialises in advising clients on the division of assets as part of a divorce…
Are you paying too much inheritance tax?
The importance of obtaining specialist advice when dealing with HM Revenue and Customs in this complex area of law cannot be stressed too highly. This was starkly illustrated in a…
Damian Baron joins Harrison Drury as family…
Harrison Drury has appointed experienced family lawyer Damian Baron as a partner. He will head up the family law team at Harrison Drury’s Preston office in Chapel Street after joining…
Using a deed of variation to alter…
A Deed of Variation (sometimes called a Deed of Family Arrangement) enables the beneficiaries of a deceased person’s estate to alter the distribution of the estate. A Deed of Variation…
Harrison Drury appoints Shena Baron to family…
Harrison Drury has appointed Shena Baron to head up its family law team. The legal executive, who has almost 20 years’ experience in family law, joins Harrison Drury from Napthens…
Conveyancing update: Time to be realistic on…
The media appears to be bombarding us at the moment with innumerable ‘facts’ about residential conveyancing, many of which contradict each other, and some that are simply misleading. In my…
Changes to Inheritance Tax rates when making…
While there were no sweeping changes to Inheritance Tax announced in this year’s Budget, Chancellor George Osborne did reveal that from April 2012 the Inheritance tax rate would be cut…
Why you shouldn’t take shortcuts with LPAs
While reading a recent issue of the Which? magazine I was intrigued to read an article on Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA). The article set out various advantages of making…
Inheritance Tax: Transferable Nil Rate Bands explained
Everyone has an allowance which they can leave free of Inheritance Tax on their deaths. This amount is referred to as the Nil Rate Band and is currently £325,000. Furthermore,…
Are we to see new rights for…
Two years ago I wrote about plans being discussed to introduce legislation that would give cohabiting couples who break up similar rights to married couples. The plans have still not…
Troubled Marriage? New Year, New Start?
The New Year is a very busy time, and although it is usually a time for family and celebration, it can also be very stressful for relationships under strain. Often…
