Articles
August 2018
Three ways to achieve a problem-free probate
According to recent statistics, more than 98,500 people handled probate without the help of any professional services, such as legal or accountancy advice, last year – around 38% attempted to execute wills on their own. It led to an increase of around 35% of cases that end up in court because of disputes relating to wills and probate.
August 2018
Jolie and Pitt’s situation is all too familiar for some
Another high profile case has hit the headlines, where divorced parents are in disagreement over child support claims, but it is something that can affect anyone – high profile or not.
August 2018
Interest rate rises may not all be doom and gloom for property
The rise in interest rates announced yesterday was reported to be at the highest level since the recession in 2009. How will these rises affect mortgages, savings and property in general?
July 2018
Family members acting as attorneys?
Last week we covered off some of the issues associated with Lasting Power of Attorney and what happens if family members take advantage. Not only does this often lead to financial difficulty for the vulnerable family member, but it can also cause a lot of heartache for other family members involved.
July 2018
Stopping the divorce blame game
The Owens v Owens case has thrown open the debate surrounding “no fault” divorce once again. Whilst the Divorce etc. Law Review Bill remains up in the air, there are more cases appearing where there are simply no legal grounds for a divorce.
July 2018
IHT: Possible to pay the “Bare” minimum?
Following on from an earlier article on inheritance tax (IHT), there was mention of a way to make provision for your children, without being involved in a long period of running a trust and incurring IHT charges including the costs associated in running a trust. The answer might be creating a Bare Trust.
July 2018
Employers glimpse the future of EU skilled migration
The Brexit White Paper of 12 July 2018 suggests what the future of skilled EU migrants in the UK might look like, but the wording is vague. In this analysis for Thomson Reuters, Downs Head of Immigration Samar Shams tries to decode the government’s plans for skilled migration from the EU.
July 2018
For richer for poorer?
The case of Mills v Mills has thrown open the debate once more, surrounding upkeep of non-earning partners in the event of a divorce. How easy is it to financially support a separated partner, but also guarding the interests of each party?
July 2018
Downs Solicitors submits evidence to the Home Affairs Committee
The Home Affairs Committee has published Downs Solicitors’ submission to its inquiry on post-Brexit migration policy. The submission, drafted by Head of Immigration Samar Shams, makes suggestions relating to the future of work and the realities of corporate restructurings. Samar argues for appeal rights and gender equality, and the reduction of application fees. Samar also warns that mobility negotiations might lead to overly complex immigration rules and requirements.
July 2018
GDPR and Immigration: How to fulfil both
In this month’s Employment Law Journal, Downs’s Head of Immigration Samar Shams offers practical advice on GDPR compliance. The analysis covers immigration contexts including the resident labour market test and visa applications as well as right to work checks. The article is designed to support employers in this developing area of compliance.
