A Grant of Representation is one of the steps in dealing with a Will and the subsequent Estate. Simply put, it serves as a document to confirm your legal status and ability to deal with the Estate of someone who has passed away. It can sometimes be known by other names such as Grant of Probate but always serves the same purpose; to prove authority in the administration of the Estate.

Renting out a commercial property can be a win-win situation for both sides. Landlords have a property where costs are covered by the tenants and tenants get an affordable place from which to operate their business.

And in many instances, the rental process is smooth, with both parties’ needs sufficiently met.

However, there are times when the relationship between landlord and tenant can break down and cause disputes to arise.

Separating from a partner can be tough, and unpicking a shared life can be messy, expensive and stressful.

And, when it comes to dividing assets, such as the home you have shared, emotions can often run high, with both parties feeling they have a claim to the property.

One way to help you to stay in control of your emotions, and to manage expectations, is to understand your rights and what, by law, you can expect to be entitled to when separating.

Your separation rights, what you can expect as…

If you are set to inherit money, property or other assets from an estate, you may be wondering how long the process takes from someone passing away, to receiving inheritance.

In reality, this question is hard to answer; the timescale can depend on a number of factors, including how complex the estate is.

However, as a general rule, most estates are settled in around six to nine months, with simple estates, (those with no property to sell and only one bank account), settled in around three months.

When someone dies, their belongings, such as their home, their savings, investments and personal effects, becomes known as their ‘estate’. Through a legal process, called probate, this estate is distributed in accordance with the deceased’s wishes where a will has been left. If a will has not been left, the estate is distributed in a way defined by law, known as intestacy.

What is a beneficiary?

In terms of wills, a beneficiary is someone named within a will who will benefit should the person making the will dies.

The Debt Recovery Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) came into effect on 1 October 2017. Now, with time for it to have established itself, we take a look at the impact the protocol has had and whether it has made a difference to businesses looking to recoup monies owed...

If someone close to you has passed away, along with coping with feelings of grief, you may find yourself thrown into the often complex world of dealing with the deceased’s estate.

With terminology you may not have heard before and matters such as inheritance tax and legal documentation to consider, it is little wonder that many people feel somewhat overwhelmed by the task of dealing with an estate.

Whether you are in the process of writing your will or someone close to you has passed away, you may have heard the term beneficiaries and wonder whether it is something you need to consider.

Beneficiaries are those people who benefit, whether through a will, a trust or a life insurance policy when someone dies. Each beneficiary is named within the relevant document and there can be as many beneficiaries as the deceased wishes.

If you have been caught drink driving, you will likely be worried about the consequences and what happens next. A drink driving conviction can have serious ramifications such as impacting your ability to work should the charge lead to disqualification, as well as the financial implications that a large drink drive fine could have.

The legal world is full of terms and complexities that can leave people feeling confused. Cutting through the jargon, we aim to demystify the legal process and ensure our clients are well-informed every step of the way.

If you are going through the process of buying a property or piece of land, you may have come across the term ‘restrictive covenants’.

Read on to find out what a restrictive covenant is, what it means for a property purchase and when to seek legal advice.