Making your own Will has never been easier. You can download templates online. You can buy will-writing kits cheaply. You can even sit down with a blank sheet of paper and write out what you want to happen to your property when you die. And sometimes, a homemade Will works perfectly well. The difficulty is
Homemade Wills: When “I Know What I Mean” Isn’t Enough Read More »
The simple answer is that an executor can sell a house before probate is granted in Northern Ireland — they can usually begin preparing and marketing a property before the Grant of Probate is issued. They may also be able to accept an offer or agree to a sale subject to probate. However, the sale
Can an Executor Sell a House Before Probate Is Granted in Northern Ireland? Read More »
When a parent becomes unable to manage their own financial affairs, families often assume that a spouse or adult child can simply step in to act under an enduring power of attorney. Unfortunately, that is not normally the case. Being someone’s next of kin does not automatically give you authority to access bank accounts, manage
My Parent Has Lost Capacity: Who Can Manage Their Financial Affairs and Property? Read More »
No will, Young Children, and an Estate to Sort Out: What Happens in Northern Ireland? When someone dies without leaving a Will, the law decides who inherits. That may sound simple enough. It is not. It becomes even more awkward when children are involved, especially young children. Families often assume that “it will all just
No Will, Young Children & Intestacy in Northern Ireland Read More »
Most people know that if you sell something for more than you paid for it, HMRC may want a slice of the profit. What many people are less clear on is how this works with houses. The short version is this: you do not normally pay Capital Gains Tax when you sell your own main
Capital Gains Tax on Houses: When Do You Pay It? Read More »
From 6 April 2027, most unused pension funds and pension death benefits will be brought into a person’s estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. That is a major change. Pensions have long sat outside the estate for Inheritance Tax, making them valuable for estate planning. Now, the Government is changing the rules, viewing this as a
Anti-money laundering checks are essential. If you are moving money, buying property, opening accounts, or dealing with regulated firms, identity checks are part of the deal. Fine. Nobody sensible wants the system wide open to fraudsters, launderers, or impersonators. The trend in the property and financial sectors is alarmingly expanding the limits of what is
Buying your first house is exciting right up until someone mentions searches, title, contracts, lender conditions, and completion dates. Then it starts to feel less like a fresh start and more like organised panic. That is normal. For most first-time buyers, the legal side of the transaction is the part they understand least, yet it
First-Time Buyers in Northern Ireland: How to Choose the Right Conveyancing Solicitor Read More »
Most people treat their pension as something separate from their estate. It’s your retirement pot. And if anything is left when you die, it passes to your chosen beneficiaries — usually outside inheritance tax. That has been the position for years. It’s also about to change. From 6 April 2027, unused pension funds and most
Pensions & Inheritance Tax 2027: What Northern Ireland Families Must Know Read More »
If your family owns farmland in Northern Ireland, you’ve probably heard the noise about inheritance tax changes. Some of it has been alarmist. Some of it has been vague. Here’s what’s actually happening. From 6 April 2026 — weeks away — the rules around Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) are changing.
Inheritance Tax & Family Farms NI: APR/BPR Changes from April 2026 Explained Read More »
Choosing a Care Home in Northern Ireland (2025–2026): A Practical Guide for Families When someone you love reaches the point of needing residential or nursing care, it rarely feels clinical. It feels emotional. Urgent. Overwhelming. At J.J. Taylor & Co Solicitors, we regularly support families across Armagh and Northern Ireland who are navigating this stage,
Choosing a Care Home in Northern Ireland (2026 Guide) Read More »
What the Potential Bank of England Interest Rate Cut Means for Your Mortgage & Property Plans There’s a quiet shift happening in the background of the UK economy. Inflation has fallen to around 3.0% — its lowest level in nearly a year — and markets are now expecting the Bank of England to cut interest
March 2026 Interest Rate Cut: What NI Homeowners Must Do Read More »
A U-Turn on Agricultural and Business Inheritance Tax Relief: What It Means for Families and Business Owners Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR), once niche inheritance tax topics, are now central policy concerns. Proposed changes alarmed farmers, landowners, and family-run businesses across Northern Ireland and the UK. The Government has reversed course
When a Loved One Needs Care: What Patients and Families in Northern Ireland Should Know When a parent, spouse, or close relative can no longer live safely at home, families in Northern Ireland are often forced to make decisions quickly and under pressure. Hospital discharge deadlines, unclear care-home funding rules, and conflicting advice can make
Care Home Decisions in Northern Ireland: Legal Advice Read More »
As the year ends, we thank our clients, friends, and partners for your trust in J.J. Taylor & Co Solicitors. We hope our legal updates and guides have supported you, whether you were buying a home, planning your will, or securing your family’s future. Here’s a look back at the issues we covered this year
Season’s Greetings from J.J. Taylor & Co Solicitors: 2025 Year in Review Read More »
Our office will close for the Christmas break at 4:00pm on Friday, 19th December 2025, and we’ll reopen on Monday 5th January 2026. If you need to contact us during the holidays, you can email [email protected] and we’ll reply as soon as we’re back. Thank you to all our clients for your support throughout 2025.
As families gather over Christmas and life slows down, many people start thinking about the year ahead and whether their affairs are in order. One of the most important and most overlooked tasks is updating your will. If you live in Northern Ireland, December is one of the best times to review it. You’re surrounded
A Practical Guide to Updating Your Will Before the New Year Read More »
If you’re planning to buy or sell a home in Northern Ireland in the New Year, the Christmas period is the ideal time to prepare. January and February consistently bring a surge in property transactions, with many people using the holidays to browse online, discuss moving, or make the decision to list their home. But
From 18 November 2025, all UK company directors will be required to verify their identity with Companies House. Learn how to stay compliant and understand the risks associated with government regulations.UK One Login, and why using a solicitor or accountant (ACSP) may be the safer option. Urgent: New Companies House Rules Coming into Force –
When a loved one moves into a care home, one of the first questions families face is: How much will this cost — and who pays for it? In Northern Ireland, the rules are set out in the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide (CRAG). This official guidance document is used by Health & Social Care
Understanding Care Home Charges in Northern Ireland: A Guide for Families Read More »
