Estate planning can be tricky at the best of times, but for blended families, determining who will inherit a parent’s estate can be complex, as it often involves balancing the interests of biological children, stepchildren, and the surviving spouse. In the UK, the inheritance rights of stepchildren are not automatically guaranteed, and proactive steps have […]
It is reported that, in the UK in January 2025, there were 54.8 million social media user identities equating to 79% of the total population. It is little wonder that social media often features heavily in issues following a couple’s separation. Gemma Whitchurch, Partner in the Family team at Sydney Mitchell explains some of the […]
Everyone should feel included, respected, and heard, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or origin. DE&I (Diversity, Equality and Inclusion) policies are crucial for creating a respectful and inclusive environment for all. As part of our support and celebration of this year’s PRIDE Month, here’s a reminder of what employers should include in their […]
Being named as an executor in a deceased’s will represents an important responsibility, but is not a role that everyone is happy to take on. Wills, Trusts and Probate legal specialists, Shelley Collingbourne and Hannah Davis in our Private Client team, consider some of the reasons why an executor might not want to accept the […]
Property sales and listings hit a four-year high in May, not least due to improved mortgage availability, lower interest rates on borrowing, and a rise in the amount of funds home buyers can borrow. Unmarried couples pooling this borrowing potential to buy their dream home together isn’t a new trend, but cohabiting couples need to […]
The UK Government introduced a new scheme called Electronic Travel Authorisations (ETA), which was first announced in March 2023 and has been fully implemented since 2 April 2025. The scheme covers all travellers from the EU and now aligns the UK with measures that other countries like the USA, EU and Australia have previously introduced […]
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week (12 – 18 May) and according to statistics published by the Mental Health Foundation mental ill health is now the most common cause of work-limiting conditions among those aged 44 years and younger. The data also reveals that working conditions and environment are having a significant impact on […]
No win, no fee arrangements, also known as Conditional Fee Agreements are a beneficial option for individuals pursuing personal injury claims. A Conditional Fee Agreement allows claimants to access legal representation without the burden of upfront legal costs. Essentially, if the case is unsuccessful, the claimant is not required to pay any legal fees, which […]
None of us knows what the future holds for our health and wellbeing, and that of our loved ones. Considering this and planning for the unimaginable is not easy to do, but as Shelley Collingbourne, Partner and Lucy Mitchell, Senior Legal Advisor in our Wills, Trusts and Probate team explain, having a Power of Attorney […]
There are many different types of Trusts, each providing a solution to match the short and long term needs of a trustee, as Tracy Creed, partner and head of our Private Client team explains. What is a trust? A trust is defined* as a way of managing assets – namely money, investments, land or buildings […]