The Post March/April 2023

Who is my Next of Kin and what legal rights do they have? Next of Kin is a title that can be given, by you, to anyone from your partner to blood relatives and even friends. I have had several enquiries recently from people wanting to clarify who their next of kin would be and can their next of kin … Read More

The Post May/June 2022

No such thing as ‘Common Law’ marriage or partnership; If you are living with a partner and want to provide for their future security, then it is imperative that you make a Will. It is also very important to make a Will if you have children together – there is no such thing as a ‘common-law’ marriage or partnership. Having … Read More

What is Inheritance Tax?

The Gazette, 12 April 2019 What is Inheritance Tax? Every month we hold free legal clinics in Kingsbridge and Dartmouth, and last month we held our first of two special dates in Salcombe Library. We are often asked questions about inheritance tax, and whilst everyone has heard of inheritance tax not many people understand it.     Back to basics Inheritance … Read More

Theresa May under pressure over ‘dementia tax’ social care shakeup

On the 21 May 2017, the Guardian ran the following report: Theresa May under pressure over ‘dementia tax’ social care shakeup. Plans to make elderly people pay for care in their own home going down badly on doorstep say Conservative candidates Theresa May is coming under pressure to drop or water down her controversial shakeup of social care that has been branded … Read More

Deprivation of Liberty and Dementia

On the 13 March 2017, the major news outlets ran the following reports: The Daily Telegraph – “50,000 families caring for relatives at home risk breaking the law by locking them in”; The Times – “Dementia sufferers held in care homes and hospitals illegally”; BBC News –“People with Dementia ‘failed’ by deprivation of liberty law”; The Guardian – “Thousands of … Read More

‘Face to face with online’

On the 13thJuly we set out the BBC report  “The law around wills should be updated and brought into the “modern world”, the Law Commission for England and Wales has said” The question of Will making over the internet continues to roll on……  On the 7th August Ian Bond who is the chair of the Law Society’s Wills and Equity Committee wrote … Read More

“Will law should be brought into modern world”

On the 13 July 2017, The BBC reported: “The law around wills should be updated and brought into the “modern world”, the Law Commission for England and Wales has said” The current rules were “unclear” and could be putting people off from making a will, it added. It is considering whether texts, emails and other electronic communications should be recognised as a … Read More

“Why Inheritance Tax changes are not good news for everyone”

On the 15 June 2017, The Times reported: “the new system will allow many families to pass on their home without paying a huge bill — but the system is complex and some will miss out” Changes to the inheritance tax system should bring down the bill for millions of families whose parents’ or grandparents’ estates have soared in value … Read More

‘Dementia tax’ was added to the Conservative manifesto behind Cabinet ministers’ backs, say Tories

On the 22 May 2017, the Independent ran the following report: ‘Dementia tax’ was added to the Conservative manifesto behind Cabinet ministers’ backs, say Tories Two Cabinet ministers – Boris Johnson and Damian Green – refuse to say whether they were briefed  The so-called “dementia tax” was added to the Conservative manifesto at the last minute behind the backs of … Read More

“Trying to avoid care home fees? Think twice, consumers told”

On the 15 April 2017, Michael Robinson of Moneybox on BBC Radio 4 ran the following report: “Trying to avoid care home fees? Think twice, consumers told” Care from the NHS is free, but if you need social care because you’re physically or mentally frail, you have to pay for it yourself. And it is not cheap. The latest figures … Read More