Articles
July 2018
Keeping LPAs child’s play
A story in the news at the weekend highlighted an important point: how can you ensure you keep control of your finances, after you have legally signed them away?
July 2018
Gifts and trusts are an important part of protecting family wealth
On your death, everything you own that is part of your estate will be liable to 40% inheritance tax (IHT), which could cost your loved ones thousands of pounds. The only way to help reduce paying any IHT unnecessarily is to plan as effectively and as early as possible to ensure your family is protected – and your wishes are respected. Here are a few things to consider for your IHT plan.
July 2018
The law surrounding incapacity: time to dispel a few myths
We wrote an earlier blog relating to research from the SFE, which revealed an incapacity crisis-causing gulf between those who planned for mental incapacity and those who didn’t. Despite a growing concern among individuals, and how their mental state may deteriorate, it seems that excuses for not getting their affairs in order are boiling down to a few common myths.
July 2018
Cohabitation: should the law be changed?
We’ve been closely following the case of Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan, who have just won their battle in court to be granted a civil partnership. As well as the case raising questions around equality – until now only same sex couples have legally been allowed to enter into a civil partnership – there are ethical issues too.
July 2018
The incapacity crisis – a disconnect
There is something of an unspoken topic in the headlines at the moment – that of mental incapacity and what we should do with respect to your wishes during future life.
July 2018
Hetereosexual couples: what will the future mean for civil partnerships?
The well-documented case of Rebecca Steinfeld and Charles Keidan has barely left the headlines whilst the court ruling continued as to whether or not the couple would be granted a civil partnership. Now the Supreme Court has unanimously ruled in favour of the couple, what could this mean for other couples in future?
June 2018
Dispelling the myth: Can employees go home early if office temperatures are too high?
As the temperatures set to reach record levels in the UK over the next week or so, there’s no doubt that many of us will be enjoying the great outdoors. But, what about those long office hours in stuffy, windowless buildings? Are employees entitled to go home if it is too hot? Do they have a “right” to air conditioning, for example?
June 2018
EU Nationals and Family Members to come under UK Settlement Scheme
The Home Office published a Statement of Intent on 21 June 2018 setting out the application processes EU nationals and their family members will have to undertake to stay in the UK beyond the post-Brexit transition period. The Statement does not indicate when exactly the application process will open, stating only ‘late 2018’. The settlement scheme will be introduced in phases, and will open fully from 30 March 2019. Subject to the outcome of ongoing negotiations, the UK proposes to extend the settlement scheme to EEA and Swiss citizens.
June 2018
For the technology sector, the Immigration Rules just got real
The Tech Nation (formerly Tech City) visa scheme has gradually become useful. The Tech Nation scheme falls under the Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa category, for migrants with outstanding achievements or promise in their fields. During Tech Week , the Home Office published (another) Statement of Changes in the Immigration Rules. The changes take effect next month and include changes to the Tech Nation scheme which will be of interest to migrant techies.
June 2018
Are you caught up in Universal Wealth Preservation?
You may have already heard of Universal Wealth Preservation but, if you haven’t, there’s plenty you can read about them in the headlines. However, the case has recently come to light again, as the company’s owners have been arrested in connection to a number of offenses – and families are wondering if they will ever see their hard-earned cash again.
