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 […]
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 –
Selling in a chain in Northern Ireland is where most completion delays happen: one slow reply, a late mortgage offer, or a survey wobble and the whole thing stalls. Our job is to lead the conveyancing chain—not just react to it. We front-load contracts and replies, set and chase clear milestones, and escalate early the
Selling in a Chain: How We Keep NI Transactions Moving Read More »
When a loved one passes away, it’s essential to navigate the next steps with clarity and support. You will either need a Grant of Probate or Letters of Administration to deal with their estate. Whether an executor steps in due to a Will or a close relative takes charge in the absence of one, understanding
NI Probate Timeline: From Death to Grant (with checklist) Read More »
When someone passes away, it isn’t always obvious what pensions or insurance policies they held. Even serious correspondence is increasingly sent exclusively by email. Therefore, some responsibility also lies with individuals to keep a record of their assets. Here’s a straightforward guide Executors can use right away. Please keep it simple, keep a paper trail,
How to Trace a Deceased Person’s Pensions and Insurance Read More »
Being appointed as an Attorney under a Power of Attorney (PoA) is a serious responsibility. In Northern Ireland, once the PoA has been registered with the High Court (via the Office of Care and Protection), there are key steps you must take to stay compliant and act in the donor’s best interests. Here’s a straightforward
You’ve Been Appointed Under a Power of Attorney in Northern Ireland – What Now? Read More »
Headline change: From £102 to £155 per hour — a sharp 52% rise in the Taxing Master hourly rate for solicitors in Northern Ireland. This will have implications for the costs of litigation which may pass to the Taxing Master. Key facts: Effective 1 June 2025, this represents a prospective increase to £155 per hour,
🕒 Boost in Solicitor Hourly Rate: What Small Businesses & Clients in NI Need to Know Read More »
When you first approach a solicitor, you’re often doing so at a stressful or sensitive moment. Perhaps you are embroiled in a commercial dispute, navigating a divorce, or require urgent estate planning advice. Whatever the circumstances, one question hovers in the background of every initial meeting: “If I tell you everything, how do I know
Client Confidentiality Explained: How Your Solicitor Keeps Your Information Safe Read More »
Buying a home has rarely felt tougher—especially for first-time buyers, who face high deposits and strict affordability tests. However, Northern Ireland’s Co-Ownership scheme offers a glimmer of hope, bridging that gap by allowing you to purchase the share you can afford while Co-Ownership NI buys the remainder. You pay your mortgage on your share and
Co-Ownership 2025: Your Guide to Shared Home Ownership in Northern Ireland Read More »
As of April 1, 2025, significant changes to Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) have occurred, impacting property transactions across England and Northern Ireland. These adjustments, which mark the end of temporary relief measures introduced in 2022, are set to increase the financial burden on many homebuyers and investors. Key Changes to SDLT Rates 1. Reduction
