Estate planning is the process of effectively managing the money, property and other possessions we accumulate during our lifetime, ensuring that we have appropriate plans in place to protect these both during our lifetime and after our death.  Everyone’s situation is different and the size, complexity and make up of an estate varies greatly between individuals.   Nevertheless, there are certain steps we all can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our wealth.   In this blog, our experienced Private Client solicitors consider the steps everyone can take toward ..read more

Beverley Morris & Co.’s specialist Residential Property solicitors have introduced a new service known as a Title Check Report. It is intended to assist beneficiaries who have been left a property by someone who has died.  What is a Title Check Report?  A Title Check Report is a report produced by a solicitor for a reasonable fee to highlight information about a property that someone has inherited. It is designed to advise the beneficiary of any issues relating to the property of which they might otherwise be unaware.   What is included in the Report?  A Title Chec ..read more

Lasting Powers of Attorney are a great tool to help ensure that a trusted person is responsible for making decisions on your behalf should you lose mental capacity to make such decisions yourself. There are typically two types of LPA: health and welfare and financial. As a business owner, partner or director in a business, it is essential to consider not only your personal finances but also the financial future of your business. A Business Lasting Power of Attorney allows you to do just that. In this article, our experienced solicitors detail what you need to consider as a business own ..read more

When occupying a commercial property, whether as a landlord or tenant, several legal considerations must be made. In this article, the commercial property solicitors at Beverley Morris & Co. answer some frequently asked questions on this topic. Does a commercial lease need to be registered? All new leases granted on or after 13th October 2003 for a term of more than seven years are compulsorily registrable at HM Land Registry. However, some leases cannot be registered, for example, new leases for a term of three years or less (and which are not otherwise required to be registered). Read ..read more

Buying or selling a property can be overwhelming, particularly when you are feeling anxious and wish to complete the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. Paperwork feels never-ending and even if you hope that your matter will run smoothly and without any hitches, there is always room for an issue to arise. There are various potential reasons as to why a delay might occur within the conveyancing process. If there is a chain of transactions and one of the links in the chain fails, this will cause a hold up to all of the other transactions in the chain. There may be additional compl ..read more

Whilst in some cases, the process of transferring all or part of the ownership of a property can be straightforward, some transactions can involve complexities. Therefore, it is sensible to instruct a trusted legal professional in all circumstances. Known as ‘transfer of equity’, there are a variety of reasons as to why it might be necessary to add or remove someone from the ownership of a property. Upon divorce, the transfer of property ownership can be particularly complex. In this article, our experienced solicitors at Beverley Morris & Co. outline what you need to know before you&nb ..read more

As new laws surrounding Lasting Powers of Attorney come into force in the UK, allowing people to make theirs entirely online, our team of experienced private client solicitors consider some of the implications that this move is likely to have, including how you might be affected if either you do not make one, or it is invalid. What is a Lasting Power of Attorney? A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows an individual to allocate someone they trust to make important health and financial decisions on their behalf if they can no longer do so themselves. Typically, the ..read more

Purchasing a new-build property can be highly attractive to buyers due to the lack of a conveyancing chain and the reduced likelihood of needing maintenance work. In addition, new-build properties are usually highly energy efficient. According to the National House Building Council (NHBC), new home registrations increased by 25% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. In addition, data from the Office for National Statistics showed that over 200,000 new-build homes were built in the UK in the financial year ending March 2022, a trend that is showing no signs of slowi ..read more

According to research conducted by Scottish Widows during Free Wills Month in March 2023, the rate of people creating powers of attorney is low compared to other methods of financial protection. The research concluded that although 95% of UK adults understand the concept of a power of attorney and 75% believe having one is important, there is a gap in understanding how the document works and how it is utilised in practice. Furthermore, it was found that 76% of people in a relationship have discussed Wills and trusts with their partner or spouse but only 41% of married couples have put in plac ..read more

The conveyancing process can often be long and complex if the appropriate procedures are not followed correctly. As part of any transaction, there are specific legal obligations that sellers must follow to ensure transparency for all parties and protect the buyer(s) from potential hidden defects or issues with the property. In this article, our residential property team, based in Blackheath, looks at some of the critical aspects that must be disclosed when selling a residential property. What legally must be disclosed when selling a residential property? Building and Planning Permission Sel ..read more