Being appointed in a Power of Attorney (PoA) is an important and responsible role. In Northern Ireland, once you have registered the Power of Attorney with the High Court, there are vital steps you should take to ensure you fulfil your duties correctly to follow the law. Below, I outline what you should do now […]
Next Steps After Being Appointed Power of Attorney Read More »
As we approach the UK government’s Autumn Budget 2024, there’s growing speculation about potential changes to Capital Gains Tax (CGT). With the government seeking to balance its books, increasing CGT rates could be on the horizon (as well as inheritance tax changes, but that speculation is for another day). This post will reveal the potential
Potential Capital Gains Tax Increase in UK Autumn Budget 2024: What You Need to Know Read More »
Divorce is never easy, and when financial transparency is questioned, the process becomes even more stressful. Suppose you suspect that your ex-partner is concealing assets, especially in a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. In that case, taking specific steps to protect your interests and ensure a fair settlement is essential. Here’s a guide to help you navigate
Uncovering Hidden Assets in Divorce: What to Do When Cryptocurrency is Involved Read More »
I’ve just bought a house and I’ve got to pay a yearly service charge. What gives? A yearly service charge will usually relate to the maintenance of common areas. If you have bought a house in a development, it may have common grass/green areas. An apartment will have common areas such as a car park,
What is a service charge, and what does it have to do with my house? Read More »
As we or our loved ones age, ensuring they receive the care they need becomes a priority for families across Northern Ireland. The decision to move into a care home can be difficult, fraught with emotional and financial considerations. In this blog post, we aim to demystify the process, focusing on the types of care
In recent years, Bitcoin and crypto generally have surged in popularity, captivating the attention of investors, tech enthusiasts, and even the general public. However, as with any burgeoning industry, there are legal and financial implications that cannot be overlooked. One such issue is taxation, a topic that often evokes strong opinions and sometimes, confusion. Here
Render Unto Caesar That Which is Caesar’s: An Unpopular Crypto Opinion Read More »
Making a will can be daunting, filled with unfamiliar terms and complex legal jargon. We strive to keep things as clear and straightforward as possible. However, you might occasionally encounter terms that are new to you. For the curious, we’ve compiled a handy glossary to demystify the legalese and help you understand the process better.
Simplifying the Legalese: A Guide to Understanding Your Will Read More »
Earlier this week, I talked with a business owner who shared her regret about not incorporating her business. She continues to trade under her own name, which, while perfectly legal, can lead to higher taxes and expose personal assets to business liabilities. Many simple actions can significantly benefit your business or personal affairs. Often, picking
The Importance of Seeking Professional Advice for Your Business Read More »
The image on the right is what ChatGPT generated to accompany this blog. I’m not sure if the red wine is a compliment or not. You already know moving home is a significant milestone, often accompanied by a mixture of excitement and anxiety. It’s a complex process involving countless moving parts and varied emotions,
Navigating the Stress and Sentiment of Moving Home: Insights from Our Own Experience Read More »
Some of you may have noticed receiving email and text message reminders for appointments recently. We’ve been gradually introducing our appointment system on a trial basis. This system not only enables automatic reminders to be sent to clients but also empowers clients to book appointments themselves without the need to call our office. This flexibility
The Law Society and PSNI have been made aware of a number of attempts to defraud people in Northern Ireland in the process of purchasing a house. Please see the below information and remember – We will never change our bank details in the middle of a transaction. You should always refer to our Call,
Stay Alert: Rising Conveyancing Scams and Essential Precautionary Measures Read More »
Just a quick note to advise we’ll be closing on Thursday 21st December 2023 and reopening on Tuesday 2nd January 2024. Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.
Executor Walkthrough: Obtaining a Grant of Probate in Northern Ireland Introduction Being appointed as an executor of a deceased person’s estate can be a complex and emotional task. This walkthrough provides step-by-step guidance on how to obtain a Grant of Probate in Northern Ireland, a legal document that allows you to administer the deceased’s assets
You will no doubt have heard all about the PSNI data leak, revealing the names and rank of all 10,000 personnel. This has led to a predictable rush from solicitors to get as many of those affected in and signed up to retainers for their claim. You can practically see the money signs flashing in
A few relevant announcements made by the Chancellor today: Stamp duty cuts will remain in place until 2025. That means no SDLT payable on residential purchases up to £250,000 (provided it’s not classed as a purchase of an additional dwelling). Capital gains tax allowance is cut from £12,000 to £6,000 from April 2023 and to
Attention Landlords All Landlords who pay lump sum rates on their rental properties have until 30th September 2022 (9 days time!) to pay to avail of the discount. If you pay your rental property rates by monthly direct debit you are unable to avail of this 10 % discount.
There have been a number of alterations made to the club licensing regulations and the main amendments are highlighted below: Sporting Clubs – Commenced 6 April 2022 This section deals with extending an area of a sporting club authorised to supply intoxicating liquor. New Article 15A in the Clubs Order (Extension authorisations for sporting clubs)
HMRC has recently updated its Trust Registration Service Manual in relation to penalties for trustees of relevant trusts within the scope of registration on the Trust Registration Service (TRS) for either Failure to register on time or failure to keep the information held on TRS up to date. A full link to the guidelines in
Confined once more to five-day isolation I’ve been able to keep up to date with everything happening in the office. I thought I’d run through the jerry-rigged solutions we use to keep things moving whilst working from home. Email/Microsoft 365 (hardly groundbreaking), Dropbox for cloud storage, VOIP system where calls can be transferred directly to
Please note we’ll be closed from Friday 8th July 2022, reopening Monday 18th July 2022 for the 12th week holidays.
