A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) allows you to appoint someone, or multiple people, to assist you with your financial and/or healthcare decisions if you were unable to manage these yourself in the future due to accident or illness or simply wished to have some help to manage your finances and bills. Occasionally, persons appointed … Continued
Placing a property into a trust during your lifetime can be an effective estate planning strategy to manage and safeguard an asset, but all too often these are created with a focus on the establishment of the trust and not the ongoing obligations, especially taxation ones. Settlors and Trustees need to understand the taxation implications … Continued
We currently have vacancies for two future trainee solicitors for the firm within our Residential Property and Family departments as we seek additional legal stars of the future. One role is available immediately and will be based in Northallerton with a initial focus on Residential Property whilst the other role will be based at our … Continued
As we understand it, the Legal Aid Agency (LAA) encountered a cyber security incident in April 2025 whereby its digital platforms were hacked. The Agency had initially thought this low risk and with minimal loss but it appears that, over the last few days, it has since determined that this actually resulted in a high … Continued
We are delighted to announce Rachel Kilcran has been promoted to Associate at Clark Willis. Rachel is an integral member of the firm’s Residential Property team at Darlington and handles property sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. Rachel qualified as a Licensed Conveyancer in February 2023 after specialising in residential property during her legal … Continued
Family Mediation Week – an opportunity to reflect on other ways to resolve disputes Family Mediation Week kicks off on the 27th January until 31st January. Parents or couples who have decided to separate or divorce in 2025 are being urged to find out how to avoid courtroom confrontation to settle money and parenting arrangements. … Continued
When a relationship breaks down and individuals are not able to agree between themselves, or with the help of mediation, how the matrimonial finances should be divided or how children should spend time with parents applications can be made to the Courts who can make a decisions about both children and financial matters. Can I … Continued
Inheritance Tax standard allowances remain the same The standard £325,000 per person allowance (nil rate band) is frozen at the current rate until the 2030 tax year, alongside up to £175,000 residence nil rate band. The residence nil rate band is available where a property is inherited by direct descendants. This residence relief is tapered … Continued
When it comes to creating a last will and testament, it is a requirement that the person making the will, called the testator, has the necessary mental capacity to do so. The test for testamentary capacity was established in the historic case of Banks v Goodfellow (1870) and includes a person must understand: understand the … Continued
A property can be one of the most important and indeed only asset from a relationship. Both parties have usually spent a great deal of time and effort making a home together. When there is a separation, it is therefore essential that the parties understand what is available to them. In some cases, this can … Continued
