When someone goes missing, they often leave behind all their responsibilities. This can include children, pets and dependents, but also property, finances and debts. The Guardianship Act 2017 set out to change the way loved ones can manage the affairs of someone who has gone missing, which can give them the right to manage property and financial concerns on the missing person’s behalf.
It can be incredibly difficult to know what to do for the best when a loved one is missing. Not only will you be dealing with some very complicated emotions, you may also find yourself having to take over a range of practical tasks and responsibilities the missing person has left behind.
There are a whole range of reasons why someone might go missing. In the majority of cases, the person who goes missing does so of their own accord. This is often because they feel they can’t cope with something that’s happening in their life.
In the past few years, the rules on when a trust needs to be registered with HMRC have changed. In the past, it was mainly only trusts that were liable for tax that needed to be registered. Now, almost all express trusts need to be registered, regardless of whether or not any tax is due.
Anyone who has been through a divorce or the dissolution of a civil partnership will know that it can be a completely life-changing process. Formally ending a marriage or civil partnership can have hugely wide-ranging effects, from impacting your home, family and social life to your finances and future plans.
When someone dies, their estate has to be administered by their personal representative. This is usually an executor, but if the person didn’t leave a valid Will (or if the Will did not appoint an executor) then the Administration of Estates Act 1925 sets out who can apply to be the personal representative of the estate instead.
It’s not always easy to know where to turn for advice when making plans for your financial future. Though it’s not a common occurrence, we have unfortunately worked with a number of clients who’ve been caught out in the past by fraudulent professional trustees.
Many people find it helpful to take someone with them when they visit a solicitor, especially if it’s their first time doing so. However, it’s important to understand that the solicitor may ask whoever is accompanying you to wait in the waiting room for a short period while they talk to you alone. In this blog we explain why.
Though couples often do choose to make legal documents at the same time, they don’t always have the same aims and objectives. Often, individuals in a relationship want very different things, whether that’s due to having children from previous relationships, differing financial circumstances or even separate religious beliefs.
It’s important to talk your specific wishes and requirements through with a specialist power of attorney solicitor, as they will be able to advise you on the right type of power of attorney for you. They will also be able to let you know if any of the things you want to do cannot be done by way of a power of attorney.
